Haas began shaping its 2026 F1 challenger in 2024

Haas says its 2026 F1 car, the VF-26, has been in development since mid-2024, with a small group keeping work on the VF-25 while resources shifted toward the 2026 program after the summer break. Despite bans on wind tunnel and CFD testing for the 2026 rules before 2025, teams could sketch concepts, and Haas plans updates to the VF-26 by the season opener. The small-team challenge is underscored by regulatory changes and a strong emphasis on energy management under the new near 50/50 combustion/electric power split.