Haas Formula 1 driver Esteban Ocon thinks the series’ overhauled hybrid engines will mean drivers “can forget everything that we’ve learned since go-karts on how to go fast”.
F1 is at the precipice of its biggest rules change in decades with active aerodynamics and a much bigger electric component to its V6 turbo hybrids set to shake up the series. The ruleset has thus far landed mixed reviews from drivers who tried out their new machinery on the simulator, though the first real indication will follow when cars hit the track in anger at Barcelona’s shakedown next week, followed by two official tests in Bahrain.
But having sampled his Haas VF-26 for the first time in the virtual world before Christmas, Ocon says drivers will have to rewire their racing brains to make the most of their hybrid engines’ energy deployment.
“It’s a very particular way of driving the car. There’s going to be a lot more management on the engine side and on the hybrid side,” Ocon said as Haas revealed its 2026 challenger on Monday.
“The car itself felt pretty good. The balance was decent, although of course it was our first taste in the simulator, so we need to see how it is in reality, but the level of grip was good.
“Clearly, the biggest change is from the engine side, and that’s going to be the key for us to be prepared. It’s an exciting challenge, and it’s a different way of driving compared to before. I think we can forget everything that we’ve learned since go-karts on how to go fast, but it will be interesting to learn a new driving style and hopefully find speed with it.”
Haas VF-26
Photo by: Haas F1 Team
Ocon, who is set for his ninth full F1 season and his second campaign with the US-owned squad, thinks the experience in different eras of the series will stand him in good stead, having made his maiden F1 test with a V8-powered Lotus car from 2012.
“This is definitely the biggest rule change I’ve ever faced,” he said. “The first time I drove a Formula 1 car was in the V8 era, then we went to a hybrid system, where I drove one day in Valencia back then and went to Abu Dhabi for FP1. It was probably a similar change to what we’ll face now, but as I said, we need to forget everything that has happened before.
“We need to learn everything new again, so I think the experience helps to adapt quickly, but we need to adapt everything. All of our senses, how we feel, we’ll need to think a lot more while driving about what to do, to go quicker. It’s exciting, and it’s going to be interesting.”
Echoing comments from Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur and others, the 29-year-old is expecting the initial pecking order at 2026’s first race in Australia to undergo plenty of changes given the rapid gains teams are expected to find.
“I’d say by the third or fourth race we’ll have some indication, but it won’t be the final pecking order because there’s going to be a lot of development, especially in this first year,” said the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix winner.
“It’s definitely worth taking all the points you can as early as you can, but even if we’re not exactly where we want to be, there are still things to grab in the middle of the season where lots of teams will be bringing updates.”
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– The Autosport.com Team
