Haas got here away empty-handed in final weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, a disappointing outcome after Nico Hülkenberg superior to Q3 and began the race in P10. However an opening-lap collision with Lance Stroll required Hülkenberg to right away are available in for a brand new entrance wing, sending him to the again of the grid because the season started.
However regardless of the collision, there have been some shiny indicators for Haas. Hülkenberg was capable of decide up a couple of spots over the course of the race, as did teammate Kevin Magnussen. Their race tempo — together with the tire put on points that damage them all through the 2023 marketing campaign — appear to be improved from final 12 months.
Now the crew is hoping to show that promise, into factors on this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Talking after the primary two apply classes each Hülkenberg and Magnussen, together with new Staff Principal Ayao Komatsu, famous the completely different challenges that Jeddah Corniche Circuit offers, in addition to the potential to go away Saudi Arabia having opened their account for the 2024 marketing campaign.
“It’s very completely different to Bahrain – a distinct circuit, completely different sensation and feeling, however in the end it’s nonetheless very fast right here. I believe from a operating perspective it was wonderful, a day with no issues in order that was good,” mentioned Hülkenberg within the crew’s post-practice recap. “The sensation within the automotive isn’t wonderful, there’s room for enchancment – particularly over one lap – though I believe we’re actually shut collectively within the midfield.
“Small issues could make an enormous distinction. It’s the traditional studying course of on the primary day the place we be taught issues and hopefully can put all of it collectively tomorrow. Proper now, I believe it appears more difficult than seven days in the past however you by no means know, there are very small margins.”
Magnussen was much more optimistic.
“I believe we had an honest day – nothing spectacular on tempo – however once more the automotive appears okay on lengthy runs, extra so than low-fuel,” mentioned Magnussen.
“We have to decide up the tempo slightly bit there, so hopefully we are able to try this however it’s very tight, so even discovering two-tenths and also you’re near the highest 10. It’s so shut, I believe we might get near the highest 10 with a tremendous lap and we hook up the stability within the automotive,” added Magnussen. “We wish to get an honest qualifying place, however the race is the vital one in order that’s nonetheless what we’re specializing in. It’s all to play for tomorrow.”
Komatsu famous that the circuit in Saudi Arabia poses a a lot completely different problem than what the crew noticed the previous two weeks in Bahrain, with pre-season testing and the Bahrain Grand Prix. Nonetheless, he’s happy with the crew’s race tempo, which bodes effectively for the race this weekend.
Offered they’ve a powerful efficiency on Friday.
“In Saudi now we have a distinct degree of downforce and a distinct pace of corners, so we anticipated a distinct problem,” mentioned Komatsu. “At this time went kind of as anticipated, I believe we’ve received first rate straight-line pace, we struggled a bit within the high-speed corners, however then the tires are working okay.
“As you’ll be able to see the midfield is admittedly tight so I believe qualifying goes to be fairly difficult. We’ve got to place every part collectively however with the temperature and every part else it’s not simple – it’s proper on the sting – in order that’s going to be difficult. The encouraging factor is Kevin’s high-fuel run was actually good in FP2, in order that’s an excellent baseline. I believe if we are able to qualify in an honest place, we’ve received good race tempo.”