New Era, New Metal: A Guide to F1 2026 Chassis Names
Folks, we are staring down the barrel of one of the biggest shake-ups in open-wheel racing history. When the calendar flips to 2026, Formula 1 isn’t just turning a page. It’s rewriting the whole book. We’re talking new power units, new aero packages, and a completely different feel to the cars. But before the rubber meets the road for pre-season testing, there is one question every gearhead and garage mechanic wants answered: What are we calling these machines?
The chassis name is more than just a combination of letters and numbers. It’s an identity. It’s the tag that goes into the history books alongside the driver who tamed it. Some teams are sticking to tradition, while others are keeping their cards close to their chest. Let’s pop the hood and look at the chassis names we know so far for the 2026 grid.
Alpine Sticks to the Script with the A526
Alpine didn’t make us wait long to find out their plan. Just before the holidays, they announced that they are keeping their naming convention alive. The 2026 challenger will be the A526. For those keeping score, this is a nod to the Alpine F1 project’s original codename (A500) combined with the year. It’s simple, clean, and respectful of the lineage. They aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel with the name; they are just hoping the car finds a little more speed than its predecessors.
Aston Martin AMR26: The Newey Era Begins
This is the one everyone is itching to see. The AMR26 will be the first Aston Martin designed under Adrian Newey’s watchful eye. When you have the greatest aerodynamicist in history in your design office, expectations go through the roof. The name follows their standard pattern, Aston Martin Racing (AMR) plus the year, but don’t let the simple name fool you. This car represents a massive swing for the Silverstone-based outfit. We’ll get our first real look at the launch on February 9th.
The Audi Mystery and the R26 Legacy
Here is where things get interesting. Audi is stepping into the ring as a full factory team, taking over the Sauber operation. They teased us with a concept livery dubbed the R26. Now, that might just be a placeholder, but history buffs will tell you that “R26” has some serious pedigree. That was the chassis designation on the Renault that carried Fernando Alonso to a championship back in 2006. If Audi keeps that tag, they’ve got some big shoes to fill right out of the gate.
Cadillac Bringing American Muscle
You can’t talk about 2026 without mentioning the General Motors entry. Cadillac is joining the big dance, and in true American fashion, they are doing it loud. They plan to show off their first livery during a Super Bowl commercial. While the paint scheme is coming soon, the official chassis name is still TBC. Whatever they call it, seeing the Cadillac crest on an F1 grid is going to be a moment to remember for US racing fans.
Ferrari: The Wild Card of Chassis Names
If you follow the Scuderia, you know they love to keep us guessing. Ferrari doesn’t do “predictable.” One year it’s an anniversary tribute, the next it’s a nod to the engine.Recently, they’ve settled into an “SF” (Scuderia Ferrari) plus the year pattern, but with 2026 being such a pivotal year, don’t be surprised if they pull a fast one. They’ve set a “save the date” for January 23rd, so we won’t have to wait long to see what rolls out of Maranello.
Haas VF-26: Honoring the Grind
I’ve got a lot of respect for how Gene Haas names his cars. The team confirmed they are sticking with the VF-26 tag.This goes all the way back to Gene’s business roots. His first CNC machine in 1988 was the VF-1, unofficially known as the “Very First One.” When Haas joined the F1 circus in 2016, they dropped the VF-16, and they haven’t looked back since. It’s a working-class name for a team that prides itself on efficiency.
McLaren and the Climb to MCL40
McLaren has a rich history, and for decades, the “MP4” prefix was legendary. But since 2017, it’s been the MCL era. Based on their current trajectory, we are expecting the 2026 ride to be the MCL40. It’s crazy to think about the numbers climbing that high. It wasn’t long ago they celebrated 60 years with the MCL60, and now they are back to the standard progression. Let’s hope the MCL40 has the pace to challenge for the hardware.
Mercedes W17: The Silver Arrow Lineage
Mercedes is another team that respects its history. We expect the 2026 car to be the W17. That “W” stands for Wagen (car), and it links directly to the glory days of the 1950s. The legendary W196R Fangio remains one of the most valuable cars on the planet. The modern team picked up that legacy in 2010 with the W01. It’s a naming convention that screams dominance, and they’ll be looking to get back on top with this one.
Red Bull RB22: Skipping a Beat
Red Bull usually keeps it straightforward: RB plus the year count. But the 2026 car, the RB22, skips a number. Why? Because the RB17 already exists, but you won’t see it on a Grand Prix track. That designation went to Adrian Newey’s track-day hypercar monster. So, Max Verstappen’s 2026 office skips straight to 22. It’s a quirky bit of trivia, but that’s racing for you.
Williams FW48: The Legacy Continues
Finally, we have Williams. For my money, the “FW” chassis names are the most emotional on the grid. They stand for Frank Williams, the man who built the team from nothing. Even though the team has changed hands, keeping the FW prefix is a class act. The FW48 will take to the track in 2026, carrying the spirit of a true racer with it.
