Haas Launches Toyota-Backed VF-26 for 2026 Season Debut

Haas has officially kicked off its 2026 campaign with the shakedown of the VF-26 at Ferrari's Fiorano circuit. Driven by Oliver Bearman, the car hit the track just 24 hours after Ferrari's own launch, signaling the start of a significant new chapter for the American team under the Toyota Gazoo Racing banner.

Why it matters:

The rebranding to "TGR Haas F1 Team" represents a major strategic shift, bringing substantial backing from a global automotive giant to the American outfit. While the power unit remains Ferrari, the technical and commercial partnership with Toyota signals a renewed ambition to climb the grid. Validating the car's systems early at Fiorano provides a crucial confidence boost ahead of the intense pre-season schedule.

The details:

• Debut Run: Oliver Bearman was behind the wheel for the VF-26's first laps, utilizing Ferrari's private facility to complete initial systems checks.
• New Identity: The car sported the new Toyota Gazoo Racing livery, confirming the team's official entry as TGR Haas F1 Team for the coming season.
• Power Unit Configuration: Despite the Toyota branding, Haas continues to rely on Ferrari customer engines, maintaining a long-standing technical partnership.
• Track Status: Haas joins Audi, Cadillac, Racing Bulls, Mercedes, Ferrari, and Alpine as teams to have completed shakedowns. Audi ran at Barcelona, while Cadillac, Mercedes, and Alpine utilized Silverstone.
• Grid Update: McLaren, Aston Martin, and Red Bull have yet to run their 2026 cars. Williams is also set to miss the upcoming Barcelona test after failing to pass mandatory FIA crash tests.

What's next:

The team now heads to Barcelona for the first official pre-season test, which begins behind closed doors on Monday. With the shakedown complete, the focus shifts to pure performance data and reliability as the grid prepares for the new regulations era.