The Frenchman had the honour of being the first to take the new car out on track for the American team, as he prepares to embark on his 11th season in Formula 1.

Haas had already run a few days earlier at Fiorano — the same circuit where Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc completed the SF-26 shakedown — with Oliver Bearman also getting his first taste behind the wheel of the VF-26.

It remains unclear whether Ocon will complete the full day’s programme, or if the British driver will take over from his team-mate in the afternoon.

This article will be updated throughout the day.

Seven of the 11 teams are scheduled to take to the track today for the opening day of testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with several outfits — including Mercedes, Audi and Alpine — wasting no time in getting their programmes underway within minutes of the green light.

Kimi Antonelli was the first to roll out the W17, while Gabriel Bortoleto and Franco Colapinto completed the initial runs in the RS26 and A526 respectively.