Haas Shakes Down 2026 VF-26 with Bearman at Fiorano

Haas has officially joined the grid in shaking down its 2026 machinery, with Oliver Bearman taking the VF-26 for its first laps at Ferrari’s Fiorano circuit. This session marked the debut of the car's real-world livery, prominently featuring Toyota Gazoo Racing branding as the team gears up for the new regulatory era.

Why it matters:

This initial run is a critical milestone for Haas to validate systems ahead of the intense pre-season testing schedule. The visible presence of Toyota branding underscores a significant expansion of their partnership, signaling the American team's intent to leverage new resources. With the 2026 rules mandating a near 50/50 split between combustion and hybrid power, the integration of Ferrari's engine with Toyota's technical input will be pivotal for their competitiveness.

The details:

• Shakedown Specs: Bearman drove the VF-26 on Pirelli’s special demonstration tires, utilizing the team’s filming allocation to gather initial data without breaching testing restrictions.
• Visual Reveal: While Haas previously released digital renders, this was the first time the actual car was seen on track, revealing the extent of Toyota’s involvement on the front wing and engine cover.
• Grid Status: Haas is the seventh team to run their 2026 car, joining Audi, Cadillac, Alpine, Mercedes, Racing Bulls, and Ferrari. Williams, Red Bull, Aston Martin, and McLaren have yet to debut their new challengers.
• Williams Woes: Williams appears to be facing delays, having already announced they will skip the upcoming Barcelona test week entirely.

What's next:

The focus now shifts to Barcelona for the first official test from January 26-30, where teams will run for three of the five available days.

• Haas has indicated that the specification brought to Spain will not be the final version, pointing to an aggressive development program aimed at having a significantly upgraded package ready for the Australian Grand Prix in March.