The American group went by a demoralising 2023 marketing campaign by which Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen could not convert affordable one-lap tempo into race outcomes, as a result of its automobile consuming by the Pirelli tyres on most circuits.
Haas by no means discovered an answer to boost its efficiency degree and after ending backside of the constructors’ championship, a end result which led to Guenther Steiner’s exit as group principal, it was cautious about its prospects to fare higher in 2024.
Nevertheless it proved extra aggressive ultimately week’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix than first feared, being within the hunt for factors with fellow midfield outfits Sauber, RB and Williams.
And whereas Haas was lastly in a position to race others with out battling excessive tyre drop-off, Steiner’s substitute Komatsu has cautioned that its Bahrain type doesn’t suggest tyres are not a difficulty.
“I would not say we fully bought over it,” he mentioned. “We bought significantly better deal with on it after which we now have a automobile that’s rather more constant, in order that helps.
“However our race tempo continues to be weaker versus our qualifying tempo, so we nonetheless bought work to do on that.”
Ayao Komatsu, Group Principal, Haas F1 Group
Picture by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Bahrain is notoriously abrasive and demanding on the tyres, which might be a optimistic signal that as Haas survived there, it may be extra aggressive on varied different circuits too.
However the unusually cool temperatures at Sakhir final week imply there are nonetheless some lingering query marks.
“Bahrain is difficult on tyres, the monitor could be very tough and it is rear restricted, traction is fairly troublesome,” Komatsu defined.
“Nevertheless it wasn’t as heat as regular years and it is a night race as effectively. Right here [in Jeddah] is a distinct downforce degree and better pace corners.
“While you go to locations like Suzuka with extra medium to excessive pace corners, that will likely be a distinct problem too.
“So, I do not assume we’re fully on high of it. I am proud of the progress we made, however we actually have to remain centered and make it possible for we keep on high of it for varied completely different circuits and situations.”
Kevin Magnussen, Haas VF-24
Picture by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Photographs
Hulkenberg’s Bahrain race was derailed by contact initially, whereas Magnussen completed on the tail of Eleventh-place finisher Zhou Guanyu within the Sauber.
Matching Aston Martin, the fifth-fastest group to this point, seems a step too far for 2024’s backside 5 squads however Komatsu reckons the battle amongst them, which yields factors relying on what number of quicker vehicles hit bother, continues to be too near name.
He mentioned: “I believe it is actually relying on the circuit. We have solely accomplished one race and right here with the completely different downforce degree, completely different pace of the corners, longer straight, it should change.
“I believe solely after 4 or 5 races we get the larger image, but it surely’s all very tight.”
