Komatsu is very ambitious for the rest of the Haas season

Funny season that we are experiencing Haas. Before kick-off, the American team did not give much of its skin. Appointed in place of Günther Steiner in the winter, Ayao Komatsu was even realistic when planning for the 2024 campaign, ensuring that they were certainly the last force on the field. A way also to avoid being taken by surprise by the level displayed on the track by its single-seaters.

But over time and with the arrival of developments during the exercise, the VF-24s of Nico Hulkenberg et Kevin Magnussen turned out to be surprising. Far exceeding management's expectations. Suddenly, Haas found itself fighting for big points, running far ahead of direct competitors like Sauber, Williams or, Alpine. The summer tour allowed the Americans to make a huge jump in the rankings with a great Nico Hülkenberg, twice in a row 6th in the race first in Austria then in Great Britain.

Haas was thus able to break away from the back of the grid, now 16 points ahead of Alpine (8th) but above all managed to relaunch in the championship with only 7 lengths behind the 6th, Racing Bulls. Their new target for the rest of the exercise.

« We have to try to get that sixth place in the championship. This is our goal for the rest of the season, admits a more optimistic Ayao Komatsu than ever. During the resumption in Zandvoort (August 23-25) we will see if we can perform well to score points again. Budapest and Spa were difficult. We are trying to understand why we were not able to perform well in these two races »

Hold on with the means at hand

However, the task will not be easy for the main team and their gang. If the contribution of the developments introduced at Silverstone was significant, Gene Haas' team will now have to succeed in getting the most out of its current package which will no longer change in the second part. Indeed, the eponymous training, whose resources are not unlimited, does not intend to continue the development of its car. A very important point in the fight for 6th place when there are no less than 10 Grands Prix left to compete between now and December.

« It is too late to influence development, as development for the remainder of the season has been completed, concedes the Japanese. But in terms of car set-up on the track, tire management, etc. whatever we can learn from Budapest and Spa will be beneficial. So it's an ongoing process, but our goal is to try to grab that sixth place in the championship."

ALSO READ > If F1 took inspiration from the Olympics, what would the medal table look like at mid-season in 2024?