The Haas F1 team has conducted its first on-track shakedown of the VF-26, its 2026 challenger, at Ferrari's Fiorano circuit. Oliver Bearman drove the car on special demonstration tyres as part of the team's filming allocation. This marks the seventh team to run its new-spec machine ahead of the Barcelona test.
Haas became the latest Formula 1 team to shake down its 2026 car, joining the grid's preparations for the new regulations. On Saturday, F1 sophomore Oliver Bearman completed the initial laps in the VF-26 at Ferrari’s Fiorano circuit, using Pirelli’s special demonstration tyres. The team shared a social media image of Bearman exiting the garage, captioned ‘The VF-26 is alive’.
This outing followed Ferrari's demonstration event at the same venue on Friday, where Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc shared driving duties in the SF-26. It was the first time Haas revealed real images of the VF-26, after showing only digital renders during an online launch on 19 January.
Haas maintains its long-standing partnership with Ferrari, continuing to use the Italian manufacturer's engines under the 2026 rules, which require a near 50/50 split between internal combustion and hybrid power. The year also sees Haas expand its ties with Toyota, now the title sponsor, with Toyota Gazoo Racing branding prominent on the VF-26's front wing and engine cover.
With this shakedown, seven of the 11 teams—Audi, Cadillac, Alpine, Mercedes, Racing Bulls, Ferrari, and Haas—have now run their 2026 cars. Williams, Red Bull, Aston Martin, and McLaren remain to debut theirs. Williams is the furthest behind, having announced it will skip the Barcelona test week from 26-30 January due to issues passing FIA crash tests.
The Barcelona test allows each of the other 10 teams three days on track over five. Haas has indicated its Barcelona specification will differ from the one for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in March, signaling an aggressive development push for the VF-26.