Haas Unveils 2026 Formula 1 Car with New Toyota Gazoo Racing Partnership
Haas has officially released the first images of its 2026 Formula 1 car, featuring a predominantly white livery that highlights its new title partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing. The American team’s online launch follows the livery reveals of Red Bull and Racing Bulls last week in Detroit. However, unlike the Red Bull-owned teams, Haas claims the digital renderings released on Monday represent not only the livery of its new car but also the “design.”
The VF-26, built to F1’s new regulations for 2026, introduces new power units, active aerodynamics on the front and rear wings, and shorter and narrower cars. The car carries the hopes of team drivers Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman this year. According to Formula 1, the new regulations aim to improve the sport’s sustainability and competitiveness.
Design and Development
The physical VF-26 will take to the track for the first time next week at F1’s preseason test at the Circuit Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain, where all ten teams will be permitted three days on track over a period of five days. The opening test in Spain will be followed up by two three-day tests in Bahrain in February. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu stated that the car will evolve significantly over preseason testing ahead of the first race of the season in Melbourne on March 8.
Technical Partnership with Ferrari
As has been the case since its F1 debut in 2016, Haas will continue to use Ferrari engines in 2026 as part of a wide-ranging technical partnership with the Italian team that extends through to 2028. According to Ferrari, the partnership has been successful in providing Haas with a competitive edge in the sport.
Komatsu emphasized that the focus of the first test will be to optimize the operation of the 2026 hybrid power units under F1’s new regulations. The sport has targeted an ambitious 50/50 split between the power produced by the internal combustion engine and the power unit’s battery, meaning managing energy will become a key factor in races.
Season Expectations
Haas finished eighth in the constructors’ standings last year following a strong end to the season, but Komatsu said it was too early to make predictions about the upcoming season. “For the first few races, rather than setting a sporting target, it’s more a target for us,” he said. “First and foremost, get on top of PU management, then aerodynamic development.”
As the 2026 Formula 1 season approaches, fans and teams alike are eager to see how the new regulations will impact the sport. With Haas’ new car and technical partnership with Ferrari, the team is poised to make a strong showing in the upcoming season. For more information on the 2026 Formula 1 season, visit Formula 1.
