P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1 team forced to change 2026 plans after Ferrari announcement
Haas has changed their 2026 car launch date to January 19 due to competition from Alpine and Ferrari on January 23.
The team made the announcement on social media, jokingly saying they were “going out early to avoid the traffic.”
Media reports suggest Haas was influenced by the crowded release schedule and wanted their VF-26 to receive adequate media attention.
Despite their efforts, Haas remains a long shot for the 2026 title, with odds set at around 100/1, placing them below newcomer team Cadillac in terms of championship predictions.
With only Red Bull/Racing Bulls launching before Haas, there will be a significant gap until the next team, Aston Martin, unveils their car three weeks later.