Automobile launch season for the 2026 Method 1 marketing campaign is firmly underneath manner after Pink Bull and its sister outfit Racing Bulls revealed their liveries in Detroit on Thursday night time.
Pink Bull unveiled a refresh design incorporating new companion Ford’s blue, whereas Racing Bulls caught to a predominantly white livery that includes black and blue accents.
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And now up subsequent is Haas, who will launch its 2026 F1 automobile on Monday in a web-based occasion reasonably than one thing extravagant just like the Pink Bull-owned groups or others on the grid.
So here’s a have a look at the American outfit forward of the forthcoming season.
What’s new at Haas?
There’s a new title sponsor at Haas, which has strengthened its ties with Toyota having signed a technical partnership in 2024 – a deal that’s offered many advantages to the American squad, notably with the simulator.
Growing a brand new driver in-loop simulator was one of many priorities quickly after the partnership was signed, as a result of this was one thing Haas severely lacked, having beforehand relied on Ferrari’s in Maranello because of its energy unit deal.
Clearly this was not the perfect state of affairs contemplating the Haas manufacturing unit is in Oxfordshire, so Toyota has been serving to the staff, which solely joined the grid in 2016, construct its first devoted F1 simulator at Banbury.
It additionally meant Haas acquired a brand new reserve in Ryo Hirakawa, a Toyota Hypercar driver who has twice gained the World Endurance Championship title with the Japanese marque. Such a task meant he contested 4 FP1 periods in 2025 with Haas, which additionally acquired an alternate manner of shopping for automobile elements with the Toyota deal.
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Crew
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
As a substitute of proprietor Gene Haas having to pay Dallara or Ferrari for particular elements, if the part has come from Toyota then it simply comes out of the sponsorship cash. In return, the partnership has meant Toyota can ship its engineers to study F1 processes and design concepts, without having to purchase its manner onto the grid – as, say, Cadillac.
So the deal has been actually mutually useful, however 2026 will see it go to the following degree with the squad now formally turning into the TGR (Toyota Gazoo Racing) Haas F1 Crew. It’s a landmark deal for Haas, who may have Toyota take over the branding of its ‘Testing of a Earlier Automobile’ programme and the Japanese producer is increasing on its dedication to provide its engineers, mechanics and drivers priceless F1 expertise.
It means MoneyGram is now not the title companion after a deal that began in 2023.
What’s the largest problem to Haas?
Though the Toyota partnership has helped Haas in lots of methods, it nonetheless has the problem of making an attempt to beat opponents akin to Pink Bull, McLaren and Ferrari who boast a lot stronger services and greater workforces.
It due to this fact makes it virtually not possible for Haas to turn out to be a race-winning outfit, as a result of it merely doesn’t have the status or instruments at its disposal and that is one thing which will solely develop over a protracted time period.
The pitwall, for instance, was beforehand evident of the drawback Haas held, contemplating it solely had three individuals sat up on the gantry – versus six or extra – in a pure cost-saving train. For 2025, it moved as much as a six-person pit gantry, however it’s nonetheless having to be far more environment friendly with its funding than different groups.
What’s the strongest asset to Haas?
Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Crew
Photograph by: Simon Galloway / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
The strongest asset to Haas is little doubt staff principal Ayao Komatsu, who has been within the position because the begin of 2024 after changing the straight-talking Gunther Steiner. Steiner had been concerned on the American outfit since its F1 debut and, though there was the excessive of ending fifth within the 2018 standings, occasions turned tough in the direction of the top, having completed final in two of the three seasons earlier than his departure.
So the arrival of Komatsu, who beforehand served because the trackside engineering director, offered a much-needed recent begin for Haas, partly because of him being the polar reverse of Steiner. Komatsu’s impression was seen immediately: Haas jumped as much as seventh within the 2024 championship, he made certain to maximise the instruments already at its disposal reasonably than falling out with the proprietor over a perceived lack of funding, and work with Gene extra to enhance communication to get him to know what it takes to achieve success.
The 49-year-old has in the end modified issues throughout the board and 2025 was additional proof because of an all-new driver pairing. Out went Nico Hulkenberg to Sauber, Kevin Magnussen was dropped, and in got here grand prix winner Esteban Ocon plus thrilling teen Oliver Bearman.
Each drivers labored properly collectively final 12 months, as Haas scored its most factors in a marketing campaign since 2018 and Bearman’s fourth-place end in Mexico was little doubt the spotlight. However even when Haas was to have a distinct mixture, one nonetheless will get the sensation that it will be okay because of the management of Komatsu and the modifications he has applied – the Toyota deal being yet one more instance of that.
What’s the objective in F1 2026 for Haas?
Success for Haas is extraordinarily relative given its dimension in comparison with different groups, so in 2026 the objective ought to merely be extra of the identical. Within the 2025 standings, the American squad completed eighth and though that was one spot decrease than the 12 months earlier than, Haas scored 21 extra factors in what was a way more aggressive season – evident via ninth-placed Sauber scoring a Silverstone podium.
Though a podium didn’t fall Haas’ manner, it nonetheless scored some nice outcomes like fourth in Mexico, sixth in Brazil and the Netherlands, plus fifth in China. That may be a high return, and contemplating Haas boasts two drivers who’re able to delivering factors on their day, the staff simply wants to make sure that Bearman and Ocon each have a automobile that may assist them obtain it.
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