F1: Japanese Grand Prix: Preview – Haas

TGR Haas F1 Group’s 2026 FIA System 1 World Championship season will proceed with Spherical 3, the Japanese Grand Prix, at Suzuka Worldwide Racing Course.

Forward of the staff’s residence race for title associate Toyota Gazoo Racing, TGR Haas F1 Group introduced a model new season-long collaboration with TOHO CO., LTD., the house of Godzilla, marking the first-ever collaboration with an leisure IP within the historical past of the staff. The staff showcased a primary take a look at the cooperation, with drivers Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman, and Group Principal Ayao Komatsu revealing a particular livery for the Japanese Grand Prix, with the ‘King of Monsters’ proudly adorning the VF-26, at a stay occasion in Tokyo Midtown Hibiya.

TGR Haas F1 Group enters the third spherical of the season having scored factors in each race up to now in 2026, with Ollie Bearman capturing a high 5 on the final grand prix in China, to depart TGR Haas F1 Group in fourth place within the Constructors’ Championship on 17 factors, one behind reigning champions McLaren.

This yr marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Japanese Grand Prix, which was first held on the Fuji Speedway in 1976. However whereas System 1 has raced at Fuji on 4 events, the extra common residence of the Japanese Grand Prix is Suzuka, a circuit broadly acclaimed because it first appeared on the calendar in 1987. Suzuka is the only real figure-of-eight circuit on the System 1 calendar, and the circuit slices its method by the Japanese countryside, near the Pacific shoreline, and options a number of high-speed sections and fast path adjustments.

Suzuka’s high-speed nature means a powerful and compliant aerodynamic bundle is essential, alongside driver confidence within the gear at their disposal; the long-radius curves, such because the Esses and Spoon, additionally place excessive vitality masses by the tires, with Pirelli bringing their hardest compounds. A number of sections of the observe have undergone resurfacing because the 2025 working of the occasion, whereas groups and drivers have to stay acutely aware of the potential for cold and moist climate, with this yr’s Japanese Grand Prix the earliest it has ever been held within the calendar.

Ollie Bearman scored a Q3 outcome and high 10 placement on his Suzuka debut for TGR Haas F1 Group in 2025 whereas Esteban Ocon, who registered fourth within the rain-lashed shortened race in 2022, completed in 18th.

Ayao Komatsu, Group Principal: “The Japanese Grand Prix is one other one among our residence races, this season returning with our title associate Toyota Gazoo Racing, so it is a actually large race for us. We’re motivated to hold on the momentum we received from the primary two races, and I believe the staff is working actually, rather well. Suzuka will pose a really completely different problem from Shanghai, however a minimum of up to now on two completely different circuits, we have managed to adapt our strategy effectively to get one of the best out of our automotive and drivers. Our goal in Suzuka is to once more deal with the basics after which attempt to get each vehicles into level double factors, that is what we’re aiming for.

“I am additionally actually excited to see all of the Japanese followers as we unveil our particular Godzilla-themed livery in Tokyo. This collaboration is a primary and is actually thrilling, it actually reveals part of who we’re as a staff and our identification, so I hope followers get pleasure from this enjoyable livery.”

Ollie Bearman: “I like that Japan is one other ‘residence’ race for TGR Haas F1 Group – it is probably the most spectacular metropolis, the followers are so passionate, and for a second yr in a row we’re revealing a really particular livery. I really feel that partnering with Godzilla is one thing solely Haas may do, we do issues our method, and it is actually fairly one thing.

“Trying to the observe, it is the most effective circuits on this planet. It is quick, flowing, and that you must be exact. The VF-26 has confirmed to be a constant automotive over the primary two races, and the beginning of this season has been an incredible one. We have to sustain this momentum heading into April, this staff is doing nice issues proper now and we want showcase their laborious work on observe.”

Esteban Ocon: “I am very excited to be again in stunning Japan and race in Suzuka this weekend. The followers in Japan are at all times superb and for me Suzuka is one of the best circuit on the calendar. The primary sector, which may be very quick and flowing, is without doubt one of the finest combos of corners anyplace. It is an old-school observe the place I’ve had some good outcomes up to now so I am unable to wait to get going once more.

“I do know there can be loads of followers cheering for TGR Haas F1 Group. We even have a cool Godzilla partnership and livery this week, so we’ll be hoping to construct up all through the weekend and go away on Sunday night time with a stable haul of factors for the staff.”