Esteban Ocon says ‘very serious’ Haas could fight at the front, as team reveals car design for 2026

Haas unveil the VF-26 car design and livery. Credit: TGR Haas F1 Team

Esteban Ocon has given a bold verdict on what Haas can achieve in 2026, believing the team has the potential to be “dangerous” and even “fighting towards the front” under F1’s brand new set of regulations. 

With increased support from title sponsor Toyota, Haas became the first F1 team to unveil both their livery and car design for 2026, with renders of the VF-26 released online on Monday. 

The American-owned team retain drivers Ocon and Ollie Bearman for the upcoming season, off the back of a competitive 2025. Despite finishing P7 in the Constructors’ standings – one place lower than in 2024 –Team Principal Ayao Komatsu has taken Haas from dead last on the grid in 2023 to as high as P4 at the Mexico City GP in October. 

It is hoped that with Toyota’s growing influence, which will see a focus on driver development and the introduction of Haas HQ’s first ever driver-in-loop simulator in the summer, the team can start climbing up the grid, and at the VF-26’s unveiling, Ocon shared his belief that they can do just that in 2026. 

Haas can be ‘dangerous', says Ocon

Esteban Ocon at the 2025 Azerbaijan GP - Getty Images

Speaking on the VF-26 launch, Ocon, who enters his second year with Haas having finished P15 in 2025, reflected on his hopes for a 2026 season defined by heavy regulation changes. 

“I'm excited about this year,” he said.

“This team is really growing, and this team is learning a lot. Since I arrived, there have been a lot of great things that have happened. We’re growing the team and welcoming more partners, and it’s very serious how we’re going racing into this year. 

“I really hope, and I trust that this team will give us a great tool to be fighting towards the front, and towards the points. And if that's the case, I think for sure we will be dangerous.” 

Ocon has yet to drive the new car, but he did complete his seat fitting and carry out some sim work prior to Christmas. The Frenchman also shared his thoughts on the 2026 regulations, which introduce smaller, lighter cars with a 50/50 split between electrical power and the internal combustion engine (ICE). 

“It’s a very particular way of driving the car,” the 2021 Hungarian GP winner explained. 

“There's going to be a lot more management on the engine side and on the hybrid side. The car itself, you know, felt pretty good. The balance was decent, although of course it was our first taste in the simulator, so we need to see how it is in reality, but the level of grip was good.

“Clearly, the biggest change is from the engine side, and that's going to be the key for us to be prepared. It's an exciting challenge, and it's a different way of driving compared to before.

"I think we can forget everything that we've learned since go-karts on how to go fast, but it will be interesting to learn a new driving style and hopefully find speed with it.”

Team boss Komatsu also spoke on the challenges Haas have faced over the winter break, perhaps tempering expectations on a team that is comfortably F1’s smallest.  

Komatsu: Toughest pre-season in Haas’ history

Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu at the 2024 Monaco GP - Getty Images

Despite the P8 finish, Haas scored the second-highest points total in their 10-year history in F1 (79), but Komatsu is under no illusions that the 2026 regulation change will guarantee further improvement. 

“I don’t remember a change this big. It's hugely exciting, but at the same time it's very, very nerve-wracking,” Komatsu said.

“We’re growing as a team in a pretty aggressive way, and at the same time, we’re tackling these brand new regulations. It's a huge challenge, but we’ve already shown from what happened in Melbourne last year how we recovered from that, and we haven’t stopped improving since.”

And when asked at Haas’ VF-26 launch whether it was the most challenging winter in the team’s history, Komatsu responded: “I would say so, especially for our size. The new regulations mean it's financially challenging and regarding resources, everyone knows we’re still the smallest team. 

“It’s a huge challenge, and as Team Principal, the responsibility is bigger, ensuring that this team is equipped to tackle this massive regulation change. I don't think any team, even the biggest, is going to say they’re fully equipped to tackle this, however for us, the challenge is bigger.

“We need to focus on what we’ve got, what we’re good at, recognise our weaknesses but play to our strengths, and continue learning. We’ve got to learn pretty fast with these new regulations. There will be surprises once everyone is up and running, for sure, and it’s going to be about sticking together, reacting, and adapting as quickly as possible.”

After the unveiling, next up for Haas will be the private shakedown in Barcelona between January 26-30, before the proper pre-season gets underway with back-to-back official tests in Bahrain starting on February 11.

Komatsu added further insight into what the teams will be working on with significantly more testing time allowed than in recent years.

“The car everyone will see in Barcelona won’t be the car that races in Australia,” he said.

“And I think that will be across the board, because it's simply too early. It’s different perhaps having one test two weeks before the first race, but with over a month before the first race, teams won’t stop wind tunnel development. 

“Hence, the cars testing in Barcelona, and even the first week of testing in Bahrain will be less mature compared to what’s built in Australia for the first race.”