New Haas drivers Ocon, Bearman and Miyata at work this week

The Haas team has embarked on a Testing of Previous Car (TPC) programme in Jerez, Spain, with new signings Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman taking to the track alongside Toyota junior driver Ritomo Miyata.

The test marks the start of a new chapter for Haas, following the departures of experienced drivers Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hülkenberg. Ocon, a proven race winner, takes the helm as team leader, while Bearman, a Ferrari-backed rookie, steps up to the top tier after impressing in the junior ranks and his outings for Ferrari and Haas (twice) as a super-sub.

Under Formula 1 regulations, teams are permitted to use cars that are at least two years old for testing purposes. Haas has chosen the VF-23, its 2023 challenger, for the programme. The car will provide the team’s new drivers with valuable track time and allow for early acclimatisation ahead of the upcoming campaign.

The 18-year-old Briton will complete his first laps as a Formula 1 driver on the Jerez circuit before handing over to Miyata. On Thursday, Ocon will make his debut with the team, followed by another stint for the Japanese driver.

Haas’s decision to include Miyata in the programme reflects its focus on integrating new talent. The 24-year-old has shown promise in junior categories and will benefit from the rare opportunity to gain experience in an F1 car.

For Ocon, the test offers a chance to establish his position as the team’s leader. The Frenchman, who brings extensive experience from stints at Force India, Renault, and Alpine, is expected to play a crucial role in Haas's quest to climb the midfield standings.

Meanwhile, Bearman’s participation underscores Haas’s tradition of nurturing young talent with money from Maranello. With Ocon, Bearman, and Miyata sharing duties, Haas’s Jerez outing serves as a symbolic start to their new era—one defined by fresh faces, a focus on development, and the ambition to push the team to new heights.