No developments for Haas at Barcelona

The Spanish Grand Prix is ​​traditionally the start of the European season in Formula 1. It is generally also the kick-off for the arrival of major developments on single-seaters. While several teams are expected to make improvements to their cars this weekend in Barcelona, ​​this will not be the case for Haas. The American team decided not to implement any developments on the VF-22.

After a good start to the season, rewarded with 15 points in five races (compared to 0 in 2021), Haas wants to play the stability card. “Normally Spain is the obvious place to make improvements and I think many teams are planning them. (…) We decided to wait a little longer with the developments because I still think we still have performance in the current car. » announced Günther Steiner, the team director.

Focusing on optimization rather than developments, such is Haas' bet for the Spanish Grand Prix. A choice that goes against the grain of the other teams but which could work according to Günther Steiner, who shows his confidence. “We have a good package of developments that will arrive in about four or five races, so I'm confident about that. » Haas has had a bad habit in the past of making changes that didn't work or that the team didn't understand. With a competitive car this season, the Banbury-based team does not want to repeat the same mistakes.

Haas must recover after Miami

Flamboyant during the first four events of the season, with 3 races in the points – all scored by Kevin Magnussen – and a top 5 in Bahrain, the American team experienced a setback in Miami. A retirement for Magnussen, an accident at the end of the race for Schumacher, Haas finished his national Grand Prix in 15th and 16th place. “It was quite disappointing both in qualifying and in the race, but we have to stay positive” puts Günther Steiner into perspective. “The car is good, we just need to set it up right, get the tires working right. As you saw during the race in Miami, we gained positions until the safety car arrived and then we fell back. »

The Italian director is banking on his good knowledge of the Barcelona circuit to return to the top 10. A track used during winter testing last February. “For us, going to Spain and knowing that we raced there, that we were good and that we had a good setup, it gives us confidence. When we get there and get off to a good start we usually put ourselves in a good position for qualifying and the race, hopefully that will happen this time too. » In 2021, Haas finished the Spanish Grand Prix in 18th and 19th position, two laps behind the winner, taking advantage of the retirement of Yuki tsunoda so as not to finish last. It will be difficult to do worse this year.

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