Haas has change into the most recent staff to shake down its 2026 Components 1 automotive, because the grid makes their last preparations for the primary official take a look at beneath the brand new rules.
F1 sophomore Oliver Bearman turned the primary laps within the Haas VF-26 at Ferrari’sFiorano circuit on Saturday, operating Pirelli’s particular demonstration tyres as a part of the staff’s filming allocation.
In a brief social media publish, the American outfit shared a picture of Bearman exiting the storage at Fiorano with the caption, ‘The VF-26 is alive’.
The shakedown additionally marked the primary time Haas revealed actual photos of its 2026 contender, having beforehand proven solely digital renders of the automobiles throughout an internet launch on 19 January.
Haas’ run adopted only a day after Ferrari took the SF-26 to the identical venue on Friday for a ‘demonstration occasion’, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc splitting the operating between them.
Haas has an extended partnership with Ferrari in F1 and it’ll proceed to run the Italian producer’s engines this 12 months, when the brand new rule cycle mandates a close to 50/50 cut up between energy generated by the interior combustion system and the hybrid unit.
Nonetheless, 2026 can be important for Haas in one other manner, because it expanded its partnership with Toyota, which has now change into its title sponsor. The VF-26 pushed by Bearman at Fiorano carried important branding from Toyota Gazoo Racing on the entrance wing and the engine cowl.
With the shakedown full, seven of the 11 groups on the grid have run their 2026 automobiles in some type: Audi, Cadillac, Alpine, Mercedes, Racing Bulls, Ferrari and now Haas.
Solely Williams, Purple Bull, Aston Martin and reigning champion McLaren are nonetheless to hold out their first on-track outings of the 12 months.
Of these, Williams seems to be the furthest delayed, having already announced it will not take part in the Barcelona test week.
Barring another unexpected circumstances, the remaining 10 groups are anticipated to journey to Spain for the Barcelona take a look at from 26-30 January. Whereas the observe is booked for 5 days, every staff can solely choose three days to run their 2026 automobiles.
Haas has already indicated that the specification it brings to Barcelona won’t be an identical to the one it races on the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in March, pointing to an aggressive early improvement programme for the VF-26.
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