P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Finally! They may have finished first last season in the drivers’ and constructors’ championships, but they’re last out of the box to announce their launch date.
McLaren has confirmed the launch date for this season’s F1 car to defend its titles from last year. The team will reveal its 2026 car on February 9 at the Bahrain International Circuit, just before the first tests. McLaren is the last team on the grid to share details for this year’s campaign. They are entering the season as two-time defending constructors’ champions, having won titles in 2024 and 2025 under different circumstances. Lando Norris, McLaren’s driver, clinched the drivers’ title last season, narrowly beating Max Verstappen, while teammate Oscar Piastri finished behind in the standings.
