F1 | Aston Martin 2026 launch: when to watch Adrian Newey’s first “green machine” reveal
Today, Monday, February 9, 2026, the Aston Martin AMR26 is set to be unveiled, marking the first car from Silverstone designed by the legendary Adrian Newey.
The launch events for the brand-new Formula 1 cars of the 2026 season are now reaching their conclusion. Today, the last two missing cars will be revealed. On February 9, 2026, the world will see both the defending world champion McLaren and, most notably, the first Aston Martin signed by Adrian Newey.
For the historic British manufacturer, now in its sixth year since returning to Formula 1, 2026 promises major changes that could reshape the team’s history in the sport. This starts with the power unit: after years as a Mercedes customer, the Silverstone team has partnered with Honda, gaining access to an official engine supply.
Moreover, the AMR26 will be the first Aston Martin bearing Adrian Newey’s influence as team principal. The British design genius, who boasts an astonishing 26 world titles across Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull, faces yet another challenge in his storied career.
Then there’s Lawrence Stroll, who acquired the Silverstone team in 2018 and returned Aston Martin to Formula 1 in 2021, eager to finally see a return on his substantial investments.
Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will take their seats in the Aston Martin cockpits for the fourth consecutive year. The Spanish champion, turning 45 this July, could be at the final stage of his career, making it thrilling to see a driver of his talent still at the top. For Lance Stroll, 2026 may also represent a final chance to rejuvenate his F1 career after ten seasons marked more by mistakes than results.
The team also counts third driver Jak Crawford, 2025 Formula 2 runner-up, Stoffel Vandoorne as test and reserve driver, and Pedro De La Rosa as team ambassador.
The AMR26’s journey has started with challenges. The car arrived late for the Barcelona shakedown, hitting the track only in the afternoon of the penultimate day. Last-minute component changes caused the delay. Lance Stroll managed just five laps before stopping due to reliability issues, while Fernando Alonso completed a greater number of laps the following day.
The car is reportedly several kilograms overweight compared to the minimum regulations. Nevertheless, the AMR26 impressed with its original design solutions, from the nose to the front and rear suspension, sidepods, and airscoop.
Considering that the 2026 cars are developed from a blank sheet, the development curve will be steep, giving teams time to recover any early-season gaps.
When and where to watch the Aston Martin 2026 launch
The presentation will reveal only the AMR26’s livery. Aston Martin promises a “one-of-a-kind” event taking place in Saudi Arabia at the Center for World Culture, known as Ithra, in Dhahran. The venue is managed by Aramco, the Saudi oil giant that supplies fuel for the Honda power units used by Aston Martin.
The event will start at 22:00 local time (20:00 in Italy) and fans can watch it live on the official YouTube and TikTok channels of Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team. A press release summarizing the event, including statements from Lawrence Stroll, Adrian Newey, Fernando Alonso, and Lance Stroll, will be issued at 20:20.
Videos and images will be available on the team’s official social media channels. Technical specifications for the AMR26 will be published on the official website after the presentation.
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