The car was subject to scrutiny following its performances in pre-season testing and free practice sessions at the 2018 Australian Grand Prix. Questions were raised over similarities between the VF-18 and the Ferrari SF70H, the car entered by Haas' partner Ferrari in as the sporting and technical regulations ban the use of "customer cars", or cars developed by one constructor and sold on to another team. Team principal Gunther Steiner dismissed the claims, responding to critics by arguing that the team had only purchased parts from Ferrari that the FIA had approved for sale. This was the first Haas car to achieve a fastest lap.