During the Barcelona pre‑season test, Haas drivers Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman spent three days on the track, completing nearly 400 laps in the new VF‑26. Both drivers voiced doubts that the 2026 machinery will make overtaking any easier. The new aerodynamic package, while cleaner, still leaves cars tightly coupled.

With the 2026 regulations, teams have focused on reducing drag and increasing downforce, but the tighter airflow around the rear wing keeps cars close. Ocon noted that even a small slipstream advantage is hard to exploit on the current high‑speed circuits.

These findings suggest that the 2026 season may see fewer overtakes, especially on high‑speed circuits. Fans will watch the opening races to see if teams can tweak the new chassis to create more overtaking opportunities, or if the status quo persists.

Analysts predict that teams will experiment with aerodynamic tweaks during the first half of the season. If the FIA can’t enforce stricter overtaking rules, drivers may need to rely on strategic pit stops and tire management to gain positions, keeping the championship battle tight.