It has been a month since Formula 1 wrapped up its activities following the Abu Dhabi tests, but preparations are already underway. As teams anticipate the start of the new season in Australia, work is progressing with a view toward both 2025 and the new technical regulations set to debut in 2026.
Several teams are already active in their preseason preparations, and as in previous years, the winter break offers drivers an opportunity to get back behind the wheel, reacquaint themselves with the car, and refine certain routines.
These tests are also a valuable opportunity for drivers switching teams to adapt more quickly to new environments, whether related to internal communication procedures or the operation of the power unit.
Haas will take advantage of this opportunity, using its TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) program, enabled by its partnership with Toyota. This collaboration has allowed the team to establish a private testing program for the first time, something previously unattainable due to resource constraints.
Haas will thus be the first team on track in 2025, organizing two days of testing in Spain at Jerez on Wednesday, January 15, and Thursday, January 16. The VF-23 (2023 car) will be driven by official drivers Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman, as well as Toyota academy talent Ritomo Miyata. Although both Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman have already worked with the team to some extent, this test will provide an excellent opportunity to further integrate with the team.
Ocon only participated in the end-of-year tests in Abu Dhabi after terminating his contract with Alpine. Oliver Bearman, on the other hand, had the chance to drive the VF-24 during Pirelli tests and on GP weekends in Azerbaijan and Brazil, where he replaced Kevin Magnussen. For Ocon, the test will also be an opportunity to familiarize himself with the Ferrari power unit procedures, as opposed to those of Renault.
For Miyata, this will be his debut in a Formula 1 car. The young Japanese driver, after a long career in Japan, entered European series only last year, competing in the Formula 2 championship, the ELMS season, and the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans with an LMP2 car.
The regulations allow teams to conduct unrestricted testing with a car at least two years old, though new restrictions have been introduced this year. These include a total of four days available for official drivers and a maximum distance of 1,000 kilometers per year.
Last year, during the end-of-year tests in Abu Dhabi, Haas fielded another Toyota driver, Ryo Hirakawa. However, Hirakawa has since joined Alpine as a reserve driver. He is also scheduled to take part in sessions with the French team before the start of the season, with tests planned for February and March, including one in Qatar to prepare for his participation in FP1 at the Japanese Grand Prix.
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