Recent Formula 1 livery launch events for the 2026 season have featured both standard show cars and team-specific interpretations of upcoming vehicle designs. These presentations, focused on showcasing team liveries, have also revealed distinct design elements through studio images and on-screen renders, differing from the generic F1 show car models. Both Red Bull and Audi utilized show cars manufactured by Memento for their stage displays, while simultaneously presenting alternative design concepts.
Overview of 2026 F1 Car Launches
Formula 1 teams Red Bull and Audi held separate events to unveil their liveries for the 2026 season. During these launches, a standard 2026 F1 show car, constructed by Memento, was displayed on stage. Concurrently, both teams also presented or released visuals of a different car specification, believed to represent their specific interpretations of the 2026 regulations or initial testing configurations.
Red Bull's 2026 Car Design
Red Bull's 2026 Formula 1 car launch, described as a "livery launch," featured the Memento-built 2026 Formula 1 showcar. However, studio images subsequently released by Red Bull showcased several design differences compared to the generic show car. These images are presented as Red Bull's interpretation of the regulations, rather than a definitive preview of the final RB22 vehicle.
Key differences observed in Red Bull's studio images include:
- Detailed work on the front and rear wings.
- Redesigned front wing endplates and front brake ducts.
- More contoured and tightly packaged sidepods, which exposed a larger portion of the car's floor.
- Increased detail in the rear corner section.
- The forward floor fence was divided into three elements, an evolution from a single block design.
- The cockpit was positioned further back than on the F1 showcar model.
- The front suspension utilized a pushrod system, which differed from the pullrod system present on the F1 showcar.
The final RB22 car, and whether these specific design elements are incorporated, is anticipated to be revealed at the opening pre-season test scheduled for later this month in Barcelona.
Audi's 2026 Car Design
At Audi's 2026 Formula 1 livery launch in Berlin, two distinct car versions were observed. A standard 2026 F1 show car, manufactured by Memento Exclusives, was displayed on stage. Simultaneously, renders depicting a different Audi car briefly appeared on a video screen behind the stage. This second version included genuine car race numbers and design variations that aligned with earlier observations of the R26 car during a shakedown event in Barcelona.
Key differences noted between Audi's stage show car and the screen renders included:
- Front Suspension: The show car featured a pullrod front suspension, whereas the screen renders showed a pushrod system. This pushrod configuration was consistent with the R26 car observed during its Barcelona shakedown.
- Sidepods: The sidepods on the screen renders displayed an "overbite" and more refined undercut shaping, differing from the stage show car and matching designs previously observed on track.
- Nose: The stage show car had a rounded nose profile, while the version depicted on screen was flatter and included cooling holes typically found on actual race cars.
The specific specification of the car shown in the video screen images has not been officially confirmed, and Audi did not provide further information. It has been suggested that these images may represent basic renders of the shakedown specification, aligning with the version used for initial pre-season testing. Further design advancements are expected to be implemented before the final versions are introduced for the Australian Grand Prix.