Team Haas recently completed the initial track test of its 2026 Formula 1 vehicle, with various teams on the grid finalizing their preparations for the inaugural official testing session under the upcoming regulations.
On Saturday, second-year F1 driver Oliver Bearman drove the initial circuits in the Haas VF-26 at Ferrari’s Fiorano facility, utilizing Pirelli’s specially designed demonstration tires during the team’s designated filming slot.
Through a brief message on social media, the US-based racing organization published a photo showing Bearman departing the garage at Fiorano, accompanied by the statement, ‘The VF-26 lives!’
This initial run additionally represented the debut of actual photographs of Haas’s 2026 competitor, following the earlier display of solely computer-generated depictions of the cars during an online presentation held on January 19.
Haas’s track activity occurred merely a day subsequent to Ferrari conducting a ‘demonstration event’ with the SF-26 at the identical location on Friday, where Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc shared driving duties.
Haas maintains an enduring collaboration with Ferrari in Formula 1 and is set to persist in employing power units from the Italian producer this season, particularly as the fresh regulatory period requires an almost equal division of power output between the internal combustion engine and the hybrid component.
Nevertheless, the year 2026 holds additional importance for Haas due to the expansion of its collaboration with Toyota, which has now assumed the role of its primary sponsor. The VF-26, piloted by Bearman at Fiorano, featured prominent Toyota Gazoo Racing insignia on both its front wing and engine shroud.
Following the completion of this initial test, seven out of the eleven competing teams have now tested their 2026 vehicles in some capacity, including Audi, Cadillac, Alpine, Mercedes, Racing Bulls, Ferrari, and most recently, Haas.
The sole teams yet to conduct their inaugural track sessions for the year are Williams, Red Bull, Aston Martin, and the current title holder, McLaren.
Among these teams, Williams seems to be the most delayed, having already declared its non-participation in the Barcelona testing week.
Assuming no further unexpected events occur, the remaining ten teams are anticipated to head to Spain for the Barcelona test, scheduled from January 26-30. Despite the circuit being reserved for five days, each team is restricted to choosing only three days for running their 2026 cars.
Haas has previously stated that the configuration it brings to Barcelona will differ from the version it will use at the season-commencing Australian Grand Prix in March, signifying an ambitious initial development strategy for the VF-26.
