Formula 1
Haas moves F1 2026 launch date after unforeseen development
As three teams pick 23 January for their season launch, Haas brings its own forward
Ben Vinel
Published: Jan 6, 2026, 12:33 PM
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Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal of Haas
Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
The Haas Formula 1 team will unveil its challenger for the 2026 season on 19 January, instead of 23 January as initially planned.
Haas announced its intention to reveal the new VF-26 that day in early December, shortly after Alpine officially scheduled a season launch that same day, but Ferrari went on to announce it would unveil its new car on 23 January too.
Haas has therefore decided to switch to 19 January “to avoid over-congestion of team launches” on the original date, a spokesperson for the team stated.
The VF-26 will first appear as digital renders and video. It will be powered by Ferrari like every Haas car in history, and driven by Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman again after both racers joined the squad full-time last year.
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Formula 1F1 2025 recap: Oliver Bearman’s full-time debut proves he’s on course for success
Formula 1F1 2025 recap: Esteban Ocon got a real challenge from a rookie at Haas
2026 will mark a new era for Haas as its technical partnership with Toyota is upgraded to title sponsor status. The outfit, which finished eighth in last year’s constructors’ championship, was previously sponsored by currency transfer company MoneyGram.
Pre-season testing gets under way at Barcelona from 26-30 January.
2026 F1 team launch schedule
Date Team(s) Location Car reveal? 15 January
Red Bull
Racing Bulls
Detroit, Michigan Livery only 19 January
Haas
Online 2026 car 20 January
Audi
Berlin Livery only 20 January
Honda
Tokyo Power unit only 22 January
Mercedes
Online Livery only 23 January Alpine 
Barcelona TBC 23 January Ferrari 
Fiorano 2026 car 2 February Mercedes TBC 2026 car 3 February Williams TBC Livery only 8 February Cadillac 
Super Bowl advert
Livery only 9 February Aston Martin TBC 2026 car
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