TGR Haas F1 Team boss Ayao Komatsu admitted getting his team’s 2026 Formula 1 car, the VF-26, ready for the new season was nerve-wracking given the extensive changes in the regulations.Haas revealed their VF-26 on Monday, the third team to do so after Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls, who revealed their cars last week in Detroit.
In a Q&A session following the reveal, Komatsu reflected on his team’s path towards 2026.
He said:Â “On track we have this huge regulation change, both on the PU and aerodynamics side, the biggest in 22 or 23 years of me being in Formula 1.
“I don’t remember a change this big. It’s hugely exciting, but at the same time it’s very, very nerve-wracking,” he admitted.
When asked if the preparations for 2026 were Haas’ most difficult pre-season period as they head into their 11th year in the top flight, Komatsu responded:Â “I would say so, especially for our size.
“The new regulations mean it’s financially challenging, and regarding resources, everyone knows we’re still the smallest team. It’s a huge challenge, and as Team Principal, the responsibility is bigger, ensuring that this team is equipped to tackle this massive regulation change.
“I don’t think any team, even the biggest, is going to say they’re fully equipped to tackle this; however, for us, the challenge is bigger.
Haas need to play to their strengths
“We need to focus on what we’ve got, what we’re good at, recognize our weaknesses but play to our strengths, and continue learning,” the Japanese engineer pointed out. “We’ve got to learn pretty fast with these new regulations.
“There will be surprises once everyone is up and running, for sure, and it’s going to be about sticking together, reacting, and adapting as quickly as possible.”
Many question how the pecking order will be in 2026, and when Komatsu was asked about his expectations, he said:Â “There’s going to be huge variation between teams because of two elements.
“First is the PU, with the teams using the same provider presumably bunched up, so Mercedes providing four teams, Ferrari providing three, Red Bull two, Audi and Honda providing one.
“Then on the aerodynamic side, it’s completely open, and development will happen fast. A pecking order may get established in the first four races pretty quickly, but I think it’s going to be a very dynamic season.
“What you see in race one and race two, I expect will be totally different when we come to the final races of the year,” the Haas Team Principal concluded.