Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu and drivers Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon are looking ahead to the 2026 F1 Canadian GP, as the team is set to introduce an upgrade package.
After an extended break, F1 returned to the track in Miami, where most teams introduced the first major upgrade packages to their 2026 challengers. However, Haas was among the few teams that didn’t bring significant upgrades to Miami. Instead, the American team is set to bring upgrades to this weekend’s 2026 F1 Canadian GP.
The Canadian GP marks the third sprint weekend of the 2026 F1 season. With only one practice session, Haas has little time to assess and fine-tune its new upgrade package before Sprint Qualifying. Nevertheless, the fact that most of the other teams managed the limited testing in Miami, Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu is confident that his team is “up for the challenge” as well.
In a statement published on the team’s website, Komatsu said that, given the 2026 F1 Canadian GP is scheduled a bit earlier than in the previous season, the weather could also play a role in the weekend’s outcome.
Upgrades to provide a challenge for Haas at the 2026 F1 Canadian GP
“As a team, we always look forward to the Canadian Grand Prix. It’s a great city to go to and a very unique circuit with lots of rich history. This year we’re going slightly earlier than usual, so I’m sure the weather is going to play a part. For us, we’re looking forward to the weekend as we have an upgrade package coming. As it’s a Sprint weekend, we’ll only have FP1 to evaluate it, understand it and get the best out it. It’s quite a lot to do, but that’s what a lot of other teams did in Miami, so we’re really up for the challenge.”
With its new upgrade package, Haas targets to maximize its performance and challenge for points-paying positions, according to team principal Ayao Komatsu.
“We’re all looking forward to having this package to fight in the top ten. We’re aiming to get the best out of the car and push forward in what’s already proving to be a close, competitive season.”
Bearman wants to improve on the previous year’s result, recognizing the challenge due to Haas’s upgrades
Ollie Bearman, who finished last year’s Canadian GP just outside the points, is hoping to improve his result in 2026. The young Briton scored 17 points so far and currently sits in P8 in the 2026 F1 Driver Championship. Having scored a decent amount of points in the opening rounds, Bearman is looking to finish both races inside the points. While the Haas driver is hoping to up his tally, he, like Komatsu, recognizes the challenge of getting the car into the “perfect window” with only one practice session.
“Last year in Montreal, I thought there was more we could’ve achieved, so I’m definitely looking to improve on that P11. We’re bringing our next upgrade to Canada, but, of course, with it being a Sprint weekend, it’s going to be a hard task to get it into the perfect window right away. However, I have no doubts that we should be in that midfield pack fighting for points in both races.”
Bearman also shared his love for the host city, Montréal, the Canadian fans, and the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, while pondering whether moving the GP to an earlier date in 2026 could “spice things up” weather-wise.
“I love the city of Montrèal, the fans, the circuit…and even the weather! We’re coming three weeks earlier this year than last, so I wonder if that will spice things up.”
Ocon hopes Canadian GP upgrades will work “straight away”
Following the break between the Miami and Canadian GP, Esteban Ocon is ready to get back inside the car. Currently ranked 16th in the F1 Drivers’ Championship, the Frenchman spent the time ahead of the 2026 F1 Canadian GP at work back in the factory.
“It’s been nice to have a couple of weeks after Miami to regroup and prepare ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix. We’ve been hard at work training and in the simulator with the team, so I’m looking forward to getting back in the car.”
Like Bearman, Ocon expressed his appreciation for the Canadian fans and the track, noting that the Canadian GP has a “home race feeling” due to its location and French being the “local language.”
“Coming back to Montréal is always special, and it has a bit of a home race feeling given it’s in North America and, of course, because French is the local language. The vibe in the city is always electric – the Canadian fans are always great, and the track is exciting to drive.”
After a ”tough race” in Miami, which showed Haas areas for improvement, Ocon hopes that the team can use the single practice session at the 2026 F1 Canadian GP to get the upgrades operating “straight away.”
“Miami was a tough race for us, but it provided quite a few pointers on where we need to improve, so we’ve been closely looking at that. We’ve also got an upgrade coming to the car this weekend, and hopefully we’ll get that working straight away as it’s another Sprint weekend.”
