Oliver Bearman Spins During Haas VF-26 Shakedown at Fiorano

Oliver Bearman encountered a brief setback during the initial shakedown of the new Haas VF-26 at Fiorano, suffering a low-speed spin at Ferrari's private test track. The British driver managed to recover the car and continue his running, becoming the second pilot to spin a 2026-spec machine following Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad.

Why it matters:

Early shakedowns are vital for teams to verify basic systems and drivability before the intense pressure of official testing. For Bearman, who is entering his first full season as a race driver, maximizing track time without incidents is crucial to building confidence in the new VF-26 package ahead of the Barcelona campaign.

The details:

• The Incident: The spin occurred at low speed during the installation laps, allowing Bearman to rejoin the track immediately. This contrasts with Lindblad's earlier spin, which resulted in a red flag.
• Location: The session took place at Fiorano, Ferrari's historic test track, providing Haas with a convenient venue to shake down the car given their technical partnership with the Scuderia.
• Team Progress: Haas becomes the seventh team to complete a filming day or shakedown with their 2026 challenger.
• Remaining Teams: McLaren, Red Bull Racing, Aston Martin, and Williams are the only outfits yet to turn a wheel on their new cars before the official test begins.

What's next:

The entire grid will assemble in Barcelona on Monday for the start of official pre-season testing. This will be the first true opportunity to compare the performance of the new 2026 regulations across all ten teams.