2026 Haas F1 car launch: watch the VF-26 livery reveal – Motor Sport Magazine
The Haas Formula 1 team has officially set its 2026 season in motion, pulling the covers off a new livery for its upcoming challenger, the VF-26.
While the technical intricacies of the actual chassis remain a guarded secret for now, today’s digital reveal offered a glimpse of the American squad’s colours for the upcoming year.
Haas enters the new rules era after it finished 2025 eighth in the constructors’ championship with 79 points, its most successful haul in years.
Its 2025 campaign was anchored by the breakout performances of Oliver Bearman, who gave the team its best result of the season with a fourth-place finish in Mexico.
The Briton stays onboard for his second full F1 season, partnered again by Esteban Ocon, also in his second year with the American outfit.
Rebranded as TGR Haas F1 team following Toyota Gazoo Racing’s move into the title-sponsor role, the outfit is leaning into a deeper relationship that’s designed to strengthen its technical pipeline.
Haas
Haas
Haas
Haas will continue with Ferrari power into the 2026 era, having extended its long-running technical partnership through 2028.
Team boss Ayao Komatsu has framed that stability as central to Haas’s longer-term development path, especially as the championship pivots into a very different aerodynamic and power-unit landscape.
Haas has not yet confirmed when its 2026 Formula 1 car will first run on track, with no shakedown or filming-day plans announced at the time of launch. As with other teams, the American outfit is expected to make use of one of its permitted promotional events to carry out an initial systems check ahead of pre-season testing.
Haas will take part in the first pre-season test in Barcelona, scheduled to run behind closed doors from January 26-30, where the VF-26 will complete its first extended running alongside the rest of the field.
Since joining Formula 1 in 2016, Haas has embraced a pragmatic blueprint built around long-standing technical ties with Ferrari, relying on Maranello for its power units and significant components rather than building everything in-house.
Haas’s 2026 launch is a test of whether its Ferrari-powered model – now subtly evolving as a new American rival arrives – is still enough to define its place in Formula 1
That approach has delivered stability and occasional competitive showings, bu the introduction of radically revised technical regulations for 2026 – touching power units, integration, packaging and energy deployment – could intensify the scrutiny on Haas’ customer approach.
Haas must now show its model can adapt rather than merely survive.
The partnership with Ferrari remains central to that effort, and its extension into the new era gives the American outfit engine security and continuity at a time when other teams are reassessing supplier strategies.
Meanwhile, Haas’s expanded collaboration with Toyota on technical support and operations reflects a growing understanding that external reinforcement could be key to long-term competitiveness.
The arrival of a well-funded second American team in Cadillac will inevitably invite comparisons – not just in results, but in cultural and competitive identity.
Oliver Bearman
Contract to 2026
Set to begin his second full F1 season with Haas, Oliver Bearman will be one of the stars to watch out for this year. After impressing in the latter part of 2025, the Briton will be looking to build on his momentum to continue to impress both Haas and Ferrari, with which he has already been linked for a future race drive.
Esteban Ocon
Contract to 2026
Esteban Ocon arrives in 2026 as the most experienced of the Haas drivers, but also with some urgency. After a difficult 2025 campaign, the Frenchman needs a clear bounce-back season to reassert his value on the grid. With his contract expiring, the new regulations offer both a reset and a final opportunity to secure his longer-term F1 future.
Haas boss Komatsu says the 2026 rules reset is a bigger challenge for F1’s “smallest team”
This is your chance to WIN 1 of 3 Scalextric BMW Twin Pack! Celebrate two iconic victories at the legendary Spa 24 Hours with this stunning BMW Twin Pack, featuring…
The covers are starting to come off the new generation of grand prix racers, with Haas, Red Bull and Racing Bulls revealing their new look: F1 2026 car and livery launch dates for the new season
Haas’s 2026 launch is a test of whether its Ferrari-powered model – now subtly evolving as a new American rival arrives – is still enough to define its place in Formula 1
For a better experience, keep your browser up to date. Check here for latest versions.
The latest news, updates and more straight to your inbox
18-20 Rosemont Road,
London NW3 6NE
© 2026 Motor Sport Magazine
Site by GAIN
