Formula 1 · Est. 2016 · Home Base: Haas F1 Team HQ
Updated March 16, 2026
Haas lost its best driver in years when Nico Hulkenberg departed for Audi, leaving the team to rebuild its lineup heading into a major regulation change. The Kannapolis-based outfit has leaned into developing young talent, but replacing Hulkenberg's consistency and technical expertise is no small task. The 2026 car needs to be a step forward to keep the team relevant.
Esteban Ocon arrives at Haas after stints at Alpine and Force India, bringing a race-winning pedigree and solid technical feedback to a team that desperately needs both. The Frenchman has a reputation for being quick but occasionally difficult, and how he integrates into Haas's lean, no-nonsense culture will be fascinating to watch.
British teenager Oliver Bearman made headlines with his stunning substitute appearance for Ferrari in 2024 and earned his full-time promotion. Now in his second full season, Bearman has the chance to show whether he is a future star or a midfield regular. The new regulations mean everyone is learning from scratch, which could play into the hands of a fearless young driver.
As a Ferrari customer team, Haas will run the same new-spec power unit as the Scuderia. If Ferrari's PU is strong under the 2026 regulations, Haas could be a major beneficiary and punch well above its weight as a small-budget operation. The technical partnership with Dallara and Ferrari remains the foundation of everything Haas does in F1.