Formula 1's smallest team, Haas, has exceeded expectations by placing fourth in the constructors' championship after the first three races of the 2026 season under new regulations. Drivers Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon delivered key results in Australia, China, and Japan, propelling the team ahead of midfield rivals including Red Bull. Team principal Ayao Komatsu credits focused resource allocation and a strong car foundation.
Haas entered 2026 as the grid's smallest outfit, following an eighth-place finish in 2025 amid battles with Racing Bulls, Aston Martin, and Sauber. The new regulations posed a major challenge, particularly with complex power units, but the team prioritized basics and efficient problem-solving, as Komatsu explained: 'You've got to prioritise. You cannot just ask people to do 10 more things without sacrificing anything.' Without its own simulator until mid-year, Haas relied on trackside agility, recovering from a slow start in Australian practice to secure points abroad and at home circuits. Bearman finished seventh in Australia and fifth in China, while Ocon scored one point in Japan despite Bearman's accident there. This positioned Haas above teams like Williams and Alpine, both running Mercedes engines. Komatsu described the start as 'extremely encouraging,' noting the VF-26's coherent characteristics despite production challenges. Ferrari's power unit, while trailing Mercedes, proved supportive; Bearman said Ferrari was 'incredibly open and incredibly helpful' with deployment strategies. Looking to Miami, Komatsu warned of circuit-dependent battles in the tight midfield with Alpine, Audi, and Racing Bulls, emphasizing preparation and development.
