Haas F 1. Debut

[tevake]

I came across a show last night on the tube about the Haas teams debut at the winter testing in Spain.
They did have some teething delays through the week and lost a bit of track time,
But were running mid pack or better while on track.

Seemed to be a pretty good atmosphere in the team. And an impressive first outing.

I sure would like to see an American driver worked into the team soon.

Sorry I can't find a link, surely some one here will dig it up.

Cheers Richard

[cockerpunk]

if they can be a mid pack team all season, that will be an AMAZING feat.

im rooting for them.

[tevake]

While looking for a link to the show I came across this interesting story of a collaboration between Aston Martin and red Bull, and Adrian Newey.

Aston Martin returns to F1 with Red Bull partnership and plans to build hypercar with Adrian Newey // F1 News // James Allen on F1

With the development of top tier sports racers it seems they are closing in on the lap times of F1 cars.
It wasn't clear what the complete intent of this project is. A hyper road car or a F1 car or both?

Cheers Richard

[Amail]

Gene Haas has built up some pretty good experience in NASCAR. I think that will really help in F1. I expect them to score points this year, but mid-pack would be a stretch.

[Heel n Toe]

I saw it, too... very enjoyable inside look at the team (on NBCSN).

It's runs again tonight from 8:30pm-9:30pm for anyone who'd like to catch it.

Haas F1 - America's Return to the Grid
TVRacer.com - TV Racing Schedule

And right afterwards, F1 P1 - 9:30-11

[GH85Carrera]

Thanks John, I set it up to record tonight.

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by cockerpunk

if they can be a mid pack team all season, that will be an AMAZING feat.

im rooting for them.

I totally agree.

An American driver would be great too, and not some old guy. A rookie for once.

[Captain Ahab Jr]

I've followed the Haas story with interest since it was first announced as I quite like the idea of working there one day, the contrast compared to my old team would be like night and day different.

Got a few friends who have been very involved in helping the team to the grid and I think Haas's approach to his first season is smart, very smart.

He has not made the same mistake most other past new F1 team's have made by trying to do everything themselves on a shoe string budget but have put the right amount of money in and tied up with super experienced partner's like Ferrari who have done the aero developement, supplied everything that can be supplied etc and with Dallara who have designed and manufactured their chassis for them under the guidance of Haas team's extremely F1 experienced chief designer.

As expected Haas have also employed a few well F1 seasoned personnel to guide and point the team in the right direction.

Another factor that will help them cope with what they will face is as far as I can tell the team has approached the 1st season with total humility. Motorsport and especially F1 doesn't tolerate arrogance in any form and only history will judge how good a job has been done regardless of how good a job you think you can do or are doing.

Team's like Manor, Sauber and Force India will be, if not should very concerned as the prize money involved in finishing 10th or above makes a big difference to the losers surviving to fight another year. The first season in F1 is always easier then the 2nd as the expectations are never lowered from one season to the next so a good start and even more importantly finish creates much needed momentum for the next season. It's a horrible feeling going into the design of the next car after you've spent the year working your butt off while taking a good beating for your best efforts.

What I'm not sure about is how a future split between North Oxfordshire and North Carolina will work from a logistically perspective. It is beyond difficult making everything work when the car design, manufacturing, build, race team operate out the same building. Remote aero development can work eg Toro Rosso race team is in northern Italy, aero facility is in the UK. Remote engine/gearbox can also work. The car race pace after the first test only sets the initial pecking order but the rate of car development is what wins or loses F1 championships.

It's already a rock hard game and that is before you make things harder for yourself putting time zone lag in the system between design to track. As the team matures and takes on more of the workload in house I can't see how the they will ever keep up. I suspect Haas will have a small design/manufacturing team in the USA to keep the American dream alive for their sponsors and fans but they will only have a small supporting role while the real work is all done in the UK and Europe.

I think any Haas and US F1 fans on here have a lot to be excited about. I'm not even American, don't even work for the team but I'm really interested to see how the Haas F1 chapter unfolds.

My prediction is they won't get to mid-field level but will finish the year in a respectable 10th or a very respectable 9th either by merit or one of their competitors not surviving until to the end of the season.

I'll also go out on a limb and predict they will become an Alfa Romeo engined (rebranded Ferrari engine) team within the next 3yrs

[GH85Carrera]

I enjoyed the show last night. It was cool to see them at mid pack even during practice 1. I will watch practice 2 tonight.

It would be interesting to find out just how much money Haas has spent to get to this point and to race the entire year. I bet it is a staggering amount.

[Por_sha911]

I'd like to see Haas do well. Being mid pack in practice doesn't mean much. They may have been pushing to the limit while the other teams were testing new ideas, old tires, etc

[Joeaksa]

Will be good to see an American team in the mix for a change.

Now if we can just get Bernie to retire, real engines return and have them move a gear shift lever...

[cockerpunk]

feel free to start the USA chant at any time

[gamin]

Well, Haas has started out strong. Grosjean solidly in the points at 6th. Good show.

[Dan J]

Santino Ferrucci, an American is develpoment driver on their team. He's a great kid with a good chance
He's from the town next to mine

[legion]

Originally Posted by gamin

Well, Haas has started out strong. Grosjean solidly in the points at 6th. Good show.

Pretty unheard of in the modern era.

And Gutierez didn't finish through no fault of his own--taken out by a world champ!

[javadog]

I have to say, after watching the show about Haas, I was left with a few misgivings. They waited far too long to start their car build. Having delayed their first car from the 2015 season to the 2016 season, I don't think that was very smart.

I think their car has a lot of potential, it's not a top 6 car but it could easily be ahead of Manor and Sauber and nipping at the heels of the others. What worries me is their capability for development, which I think may be hampered by their small size and split facilities.

Their practice pit stop that was shown in the video was awful. I really hope they aren't as bad there as they looked.

I think they missed a really good opportunity for a killer paint scheme. They should have made more of the USA connection, especially since they have few sponsors to screw up the look of the colors. What they picked has to be the dullest paint scheme in recent memory. Really awful...

JR

[GH85Carrera]

Right now they have MORE points than the factory Renault team and Mclaren, Toro Rosso, Force India, Sauber and of course Manor.

Not a bad first outing. How many total points has Manor scored in all the YEARS they have run?

[javadog]

Don't get me wrong, I think they have a pretty good car, certainly the best that any new team has put on the grid in recent years. That's because of the way they structured their design and build.

What I was commenting on was the decision to build the cars so late, then the toll that took on their crew leading up to the first race, and possible also during the race weekend. I question the depth of experience in the pit crew personnel; granted, I don't know who they hired but they didn't look good in the routine stop they showed on TV. When the crap hits the fan, I don't know how they will react. Their build at Dallara was strange. One guy to paint the parts, down the road from the Dallara factory? Really? There were several things in the video that indicated they didn't have a good plan in place for the initial car build.

Time will tell if they have the crew trained well, the managers in place to see that everything goes well on a race weekend, sufficient spares in the pipeline and enough resources to develop the car during the season and to deal with the design of next year's car when the time comes.

I'm super happy they scored a sixth place but I think that result will be hard to duplicate on a regular basis. I hope I'm wrong.

I wish Gene would buy himself a nice pair of pants to wear on race weekends.

JR

[GH85Carrera]

Yea, it was strange they were so far behind after delaying for a full year. It seems that in every car the time needed to build a car is 100% of the time available. Every project seems to expand to fill the all the time available.

[Deschodt]

The result was a bit of a fluke if we are honest - they had a late pit stop planned and totally lucked out when the Red flag came right before they were scheduled to pit, essentially got a free pit stop since you can change your tires under red flag stoppage.

On the flip side you might argue they deserved better in qually and could have been higher up to begin with. Stupid format... I call it a draw ;-)

That said, once in place, Grosjean held his place mightily, and the car looks promising since as he put it "they had no setup on it". I see them more in the 10-15 spot in the future (let's not dream just yet) but that is a major achievement (and probably points money for next year as I doubt manor will top those points). Very very happy for Haas and Grosjean, I was jumping for joy when he crossed the line, fairy tale stuff - reminds me of Webber driving for Stoddard way back when and finishing 5th (and stealing the podium).. I hope this gets them sponsors !! I need HAAS sticker and stuff now - they're for real!