Haas kick-off F1 launch season with 2022 livery reveal

The American outfit became the first team to unveil a glimpse of F1’s new era on Friday morning when it dropped a series of render images to present its 2022 colours that will adorn its new VF-22 challenger. 

Haas’ latest livery sees the team retain its Russian-themed colour scheme with a predominantely white base, and red and blue stripes.  

In recent years, it has become traditional for Haas to release imagery of its new livery before presenting its full car in a physical launch at the start of pre-season testing. 

It will be a similar story up and down the grid, with teams keen not to give away any of their design secrets before the action gets underway at the opening three-day shakedown test in Barcelona on February 23-25.

Haas is looking to move up the pecking order this year after finishing rock-bottom with the slowest car in 2021, having elected not to develop its VF21 at all in order to focus its resources on this season’s regulation shake-up. 

“It’s exciting to be at the point where we know the VF-22 will be on-track shortly,” said Haas team principal Guenther Steiner. “We all know what the team is capable of, we’ve proved that in the past, and with this new car – born out of a completely new set of regulations and with our new design team in place, I’m confident we can showcase once again that we can compete on weekends.

"It’s been a tremendous effort by everyone involved and now comes the fun part of getting the new car to the circuit and dialing in all the elements. Last season was a long one but I’m confident that 2022 will see us back in the mix with the VF-22.” 

Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin once again form Haas’ line-up and will be hoping the VF-22 is enough of an improvement to enable them to challenge for points during their second season in F1 after enduring a tough rookie year.

Haas was the only team that failed to score points in 2021, with Schumacher recording a season-best result of 12th at the Hungarian Grand Prix. 

Red Bull will be the next team to reveal its 2022 car - the RB18 - on Wednesday, marking the first of three launches in successive days with Aston Martin and McLaren following on Thursday and Friday respectively. 

AlphaTauri, Ferrari, Mercedes and Alpine will all present their cars before pre-season testing, while Alfa Romeo has taken the unusual approach of deciding not to formally launch its 2022 car until after the first test. 

Instead, the Swiss-based squad will run its C42 in a special interim livery for the Barcelona test. 

Williams is the only team yet to confirm its launch plans for the FW44.