Haas « Finding Problems Every Lap » with VF-26 in Barcelona
While the VF-26 completed significant mileage, Team Principal Ayao Komatsu delivered a blunt assessment of the team’s progress, admitting that the squad is encountering issues on almost every lap.
A Day of Discovery
Despite being one of the first teams to get their car out of the garage, Haas’s running was far from seamless. The team focused on racking up laps with Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman, but the session was defined by a relentless series of technical checks and corrections.
« Now that we are running, we discover things to correct and problems to solve at every tour, at every stint, » Komatsu told the media. « But that is precisely why we are here. »
No Crisis, Just Work
Komatsu, who is well-established in his role as Team Principal, was quick to contextualize the « problems. » He explained that these are not necessarily catastrophic failures but rather the myriad small issues and inevitable teething problems that come with running a brand-new car under a new set of regulations for 2026.
The objective for Haas is not immediate pace but ensuring the VF-26 is robust enough to sustain long runs. Every issue found on track is data that can be analyzed and fixed before the season begins.
The VF-26 Project
The Haas VF-26 represents a massive regulatory shift for Formula 1. With new power unit rules and aerodynamic packages, every team is entering uncharted territory. For Haas, the smallest team on the grid, the challenge is amplified.
Komatsu emphasized that the version of the VF-26 seen in Barcelona will not be the same specification that races in Australia. The car is an evolving platform, and the team is using these test days to validate fundamental concepts before committing to larger upgrades.
Looking Ahead
With more testing scheduled, Haas remains focused on reliability and learning. The « problems at every tour » are frustrating, but they are also the necessary growing pains of development. If Haas can systematically address these issues now, they hope to hit the ground running when the lights go out for the first race.