Haas creating an advantage over the competition? Here's what's happening!
- Ludo van Denderen
Haas F1 had a first a little over a week ago, with the American team never holding a TPC - a test with an F1 car at least two years old - before. However, thanks to its partnership with Toyota, the team had the budget to conduct that test in January for the first time.
Earlier, the team with its two new drivers for 2025, Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman, announced it would hold a so-called filming day at the Silverstone circuit on 16 February, two days before the official launch of the team's 2026 livery at the massive event at the O2 Arena in London. Two days before the start of the annual test days in Bahrain, so on 24 February, there will be a second filming day at that same Sakhir International Circuit.
First Ocon, then Bearman in action
At Silverstone, Esteban Ocon will take a seat in the Haas car. "Because Esteban, in terms of installation, it is more challenging," said Ayao Komatsu, Haas' team boss. "We just want to make sure 100% that Esteban’s installation is fine. So if we got an issue, we have got more time to react."
"Whereas Ollie, we are pretty confident. I mean, with Esteban, we are pretty confident as well. But we are more confident with Ollie’s installation. So Esteban first, and then Ollie in Bahrain shakedown. That means that Ollie is going to start the preseason testing"
As far as we know, Haas are the only F1 team to opt for two filming days. Annually, teams are allowed two filming days, during which 200 kilometres may be covered.
This article was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy
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