Haas moves up 2026 car reveal to Jan 19 to avoid launch congestion

Haas has shifted its VF‑26 launch to Jan 19, four days earlier, to dodge a crowded calendar after Alpine and Ferrari set Jan 23 dates. The digital debut, new Toyota title sponsor and unchanged driver lineup signal a fresh start ahead of the 2026 rule changes.

Why it matters:

• Avoiding launch congestion gives fans and media a clear window to focus on Haas’s new car, boosting exposure.
• An earlier digital reveal lets the team showcase its 2026 design before rivals, helping attract sponsors and partners.
• The Toyota title‑sponsorship upgrade signals deeper commercial backing as F1 enters a new technical and financial era.

The details:

• Original launch was set for Jan 23; moved to Jan 19 after Alpine confirmed the same day and Ferrari later followed.
• The VF‑26 will be unveiled via high‑resolution renders and a video package—now a standard approach across the grid.
• Power‑unit partnership stays with Ferrari; the car will run the Scuderia’s 2026 engine.
• Drivers Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman remain the driver pair, providing continuity for the first season under the new regulations.
• Toyota replaces MoneyGram as title sponsor, elevating its branding on the car and team apparel.
• Haas finished 8th in the 2023 Constructors’ Championship; the team hopes the VF‑26 and the commercial uplift push it higher in 2026.

What's next:

• The Jan 19 digital launch will give the first visual clues of Haas’s aerodynamic direction under the 2026 rulebook.
• With Toyota now a title sponsor, Haas expects a stronger budget to fund development throughout the three‑year regulation cycle.
• The team aims to translate the early exposure into on‑track performance, targeting a top‑six finish in the 2026 season.