Haas has concluded a three‑day Testing of Previous Cars session in Portimao, recording lap times with reserve racer Ryo Hirakawa, Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and Ferrari junior Rafael Cámara.
The drivers ran the team’s 2025 car, the VF‑25, at the Portuguese circuit between 26 and 28 August. The test follows a similar Fuji run earlier in the year, where Toyota‑backed Sho Tsuboi and Nirei Fukuzumi were given the gymkhana.
2027 line‑up under close scrutiny
With the 2027 Formula One calendar sharpening, Haas remains one of the few factories to lock in its next season’s driver pairing. Oliver Bearman is expected to stay, but the team is assessing All options for Esteban Ocon.
Team principal Ayao Komatsu told reporters after the Dutch Grand Prix that external interest is “a compliment.” “We are not performing at the top level this season, yet other drivers recognise our potential,” Komatsu said. “We need to maximise the performance of Bearman and Ocon in 2026 before deciding on the future line‑up.”
Strategic, not rushed
Komatsu emphasized that Haas is taking a deliberate approach. “There’s no rush,” he added at Zandvoort. “The focus remains on our current pair, getting them the best car, set‑ups, and adaptation. Only after that will we consider any changes.”
The team’s testing strategy mirrors its historical pattern of announcing drivers late, a tactic that aligns with the stable rosters across the grid for 2027.
After finishing the Portimao test, Haas will continue reviewing performance data from all drivers to decide the final 2027 combo, with the team leaving room for further evaluation before the start of the next season.
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