Haas will return from Formula 1’s summer break determined to end a five-race run without points when the championship resumes with the Dutch Grand Prix Sprint weekend at Zandvoort. Ayao Komatsu, Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon have all stressed the need to maximise the car from the opening day as the American team tries to halt a difficult run and protect its position in the midfield.
Haas has failed to score in each of the last five Grands Prix. Esteban Ocon was the most recent driver to finish inside the top 10, doing so in Monaco, while Oliver Bearman has been without points since the preceding Canadian Grand Prix, where he finished 10th.
Haas needs Dutch GP response after five races without points
The strong start to the season has kept Haas seventh in the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship, but its position could quickly deteriorate if the team cannot respond over the next few events.
Audi appears to have found greater consistency, while Aston Martin could make a significant performance step during the coming races. The midfield has already proved extremely competitive in 2026, with Racing Bulls emerging as one of the strongest teams in that group.
For Haas, rediscovering the route back into regular top-10 contention has therefore become an immediate priority.
Ayao Komatsu demands strong start to Zandvoort Sprint weekend
“It’s no secret that we had a run of challenging races before the summer shutdown,” team principal Ayao Komatsu said as he looked ahead to this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, which marks the resumption of the championship.
“The break has allowed the team to rest and reset ahead of the second half of the season. In the Netherlands, we have a Sprint weekend, which means we need to be at our best from Friday onwards. We’re excited to get going again. Zandvoort is a circuit that presents many challenges.”
The reduced practice time of a Sprint weekend will make an immediate understanding of the car particularly important. Haas cannot afford to spend much of Friday searching for the correct set-up if it wants to put both drivers in contention for points.
Oliver Bearman wants strong second half of 2026
Oliver Bearman also welcomed the opportunity to recharge during the summer shutdown. After paying tribute to the Netherlands for hosting Formula 1 in recent years, the British driver made clear that his attention is now on delivering a stronger second half of the campaign.
“It was necessary to have a break and spend some time with family. The goal for the second half of the season is to give it everything and make sure I’m doing a great job. I love Zandvoort and it’s a shame this is its final year. The track is really unique.”
The Dutch Grand Prix will carry additional significance as Formula 1 prepares for its final Zandvoort weekend, with the full 2026 Dutch GP Sprint schedule and session times setting out a particularly demanding return from the summer break.
Esteban Ocon wants Haas to build on Hungary lessons
Esteban Ocon shares his team-mate’s determination and believes Haas must use what it learned during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend to extract more from its package immediately at Zandvoort.
“It was great to relax during the summer holidays with friends and family. It was important for everyone. We’re ready to race and see what can happen. Zandvoort and the fans always create an incredible atmosphere. It’s a lot of fun, especially to drive.”
“As a team, we want to restart from what we learned in Hungary, with the aim of maximising the package from the first day of the Sprint weekend,” Esteban Ocon said in Haas’ Dutch Grand Prix preview.
With Audi finding greater consistency and Aston Martin working to improve after a difficult first half of the year, Haas has little room to relax. The team’s early-season results have kept it in a respectable championship position, but five consecutive races without a point have increased the importance of an immediate response when Formula 1 returns at Zandvoort.
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