02 Feb 2024 at 15:37
Haas was the first Formula 1 racing stable to present the car for 2024 on Friday. The American racing team clearly has low expectations for the new season. A role in the backfield seems likely for the VF-24, says new team boss Ayo Komatsu.
At Haas, team boss Günther Steiner was succeeded by Komatsu shortly after the turn of the year after ten years. The Japanese engineer is now in charge of the American team of billionaire and namesake Gene Haas. Italian technical director Simone Resta also resigned. He will be succeeded by Andrea De Zordo.
It was previously announced that Haas will continue with the experienced driver duo Kevin Magnussen (31) and Nico Hülkenberg (34) in 2024.
Komatsu is realistic about Haas’ chances, where development has been on the back burner for some time. “In Bahrain I expect us to be far back in the pecking order, perhaps last. That’s not because we have the wrong people. We started working on this car late and also stopped development for two months because we were in Austin last year.” wanted to implement a major update this season. That took time and resources.”
According to the Japanese, the upward path has now been taken again. “We find a lot of improvements in the wind tunnel and when I look at the characteristics of the car, we are going in the right direction.”
“The point is that we have to understand where the strengths and weaknesses are in this new car and then make a coherent plan to implement updates. That has never happened before.”
Photo: Haas
Feedback from drivers was not taken into account in development
According to Komatsu, for example, it was not possible to include feedback from the drivers in the development. “But we have made changes to get our drivers more involved in the development. Engineers do not drive the car and do not feel what is happening. That has to be improved.”
Haas is strongly affiliated with Ferrari and, in addition to the engine and gearbox, buys all permitted parts from the Italian racing team. The car presented on Friday is a rendering of an early stage in development, which still has many similarities with the 2023 car.
There is a real chance that the VF-24 will look very different on the first day of Formula 1 testing on February 21. Haas will first put the car through its paces during a test at Silverstone on February 11.
Photo: Haas
Image: Hare
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