The Haas team has unveiled a special Godzilla design ahead of the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix: What it’s all about and why to expect more this season
A few days before the Japanese Grand Prix (full schedule here), the Haas team has unveiled a special design for the VF-26: Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman will line up at the Formula 1 race in Suzuka (the full 2026 race calendar) with an eye-catching Godzilla livery.
The special design for the Japanese Grand Prix, which was unveiled in Tokyo on Tuesday, has a reason: a few weeks ago, Haas announced a new partnership with Toho, the Japanese entertainment company behind the famous Godzilla monster.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity to introduce our brand to a new audience. It’s a first for Haas and Toho,” says Team Principal Ayao Komatsu. “We are honored to bring a global icon like Godzilla to this sport and to launch new initiatives in such an important year for the brand.”
Godzilla is a fictional giant lizard from Japanese films that first appeared in 1954. He is often depicted as a mutated dinosaur created by nuclear testing and is both a destroyer and occasional protector of mankind. In the original Japanese version, the monster is called Gojira, a combination of gorira (gorilla) and kujira (whale).
Godzilla is now a worldwide pop culture phenomenon that appears in films, series and comics. “Godzilla represents indomitable strength and resilience – a spirit that perfectly reflects the Haas team’s determination to overcome obstacles time and time again,” adds Keiji Ota from Godzilla creator Toho.
The partnership between Haas and Toho will extend far beyond this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, however. A further special livery has already been announced for the US Grand Prix in October, which fittingly coincides with the US cinema release of “Godzilla Minus Zero”.