Overview
- FIA scheduled a January 22 meeting of technical experts to align interpretation of the 2026 regulations after reports suggested a possible in-operation compression method at Mercedes that rivals want clarified or banned.
- Haas unveiled the VF-26 with a predominantly white livery, Toyota Gazoo Racing as title partner, and Ferrari-supplied suspension components, releasing images via an online launch.
- The Barcelona shakedown on January 26–30 will primarily check power-unit functionality and energy usage, with most teams running unfinished baseline cars before Bahrain tests in February and the Melbourne opener in March.
- Reports from Italy and Germany suggest Ferrari may be behind schedule on the SF26 with uncertainty over its launch and readiness for the Barcelona running, though these claims remain unconfirmed.
- Drivers including Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman say the 2026 cars demand a fundamentally different driving approach with significantly greater focus on hybrid energy management.