Haas’ VF-24 Proves to be a Game-Changer in Formula 1 Midfield
Formula 1 news, June 16, 2023
Haas has been a delightful surprise in the Formula 1 midfield this season, with its VF-24 consistently scoring points and defying pre-season expectations. What’s even more promising is that the team’s upgrades seem to be paying off, a stark contrast to previous seasons where new developments failed to yield significant improvements.
At the British Grand Prix, Haas rolled out an extensive array of new parts, including a revised sidepod design that has ditched the underbite arrangement in favor of an overbite and conventional hooped inlet. This design is reminiscent of the McLaren MCL38, rather than following Ferrari’s lead with a P-shaped inlet.
The new sidepod design requires significant internal component reorganization, including cooling and aerodynamic revisions. While Haas has likely taken a more conservative approach, the changes have resulted in revisions to the sidepod’s bodywork, including the undercut and beltline.
Another notable update is the reworked floor design, which includes changes to the shape and volume of the underfloor, as well as the alignment of the floor fences and geometry of the edge wing. Although the overall shape of the edge wing remains unchanged, it is now wider to align with the pinch point changes made to the floor.
The team has also made adjustments to the position of the outboard wing mirror support, which now sits further inboard to complement the changes made to the sidepod’s bodywork above the inlet.
During FP1, Haas fitted its cars with different packages to assess the merits of the updates in a back-to-back comparison. Team principal Ayao Komatsu expressed optimism about the changes, saying:
“As long as things don’t go backwards, we should be able to fight for points. If we are there all the time and if we execute a good race, we’ve got a chance to be a P9, P10. So that’s what we’re aiming for.”
Haas’ ability to produce a car that doesn’t suffer excessively from tyre degradation, coupled with its successful upgrades, has given the team a significant boost in the Formula 1 standings. As the season unfolds, it will be exciting to see if Haas can maintain its upward trajectory and become a regular top-ten contender.
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