The Haas F1 Team endured a difficult start to the Australian Grand Prix weekend during practice in Melbourne, unable to replicate their earlier performances of the season.

German Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg did not mince his words about the team’s current predicament, stating, “We’re just not fast enough.” – The team have struggled with their positioning, finishing 16th and 19th in practice, in stark contrast to their expectations.

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Since the start of the 2024 Formula One season, the Haas F1 Team has embarked on a campaign marked by moments of promise interspersed with challenges that have tested the mettle of the American outfit. Founded by Gene Haas and making its debut in the sport in 2016, the team has had a rollercoaster ride over the years and this season has been no exception, not helped by the dismissal of the team’s founding boss, Guenther Steiner.

With Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen again at the wheel, Haas has sought to capitalise on the experience and skill of its drivers to climb the competitive ladder in a fiercely contested midfield.

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A mixed start to the season

The opening races of 2024 offered a glimpse of Haas’ potential, with performances that, while not consistently at the front of the pack, showed signs of underlying competitiveness. The team’s efforts to get the most out of their VF-24 car were evident, with both drivers pushing hard to secure points finishes.

However, consistency has been elusive, with fluctuating performances at different circuits highlighting the team’s ongoing battle with car set-up and adaptability to different track characteristics.

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Hulkenberg complains about Haas

Hulkenberg highlighted the team’s 1.4-second deficit to the leading pace and expressed his dissatisfaction with the car’s handling, particularly over a single lap.

“Especially over one lap it didn’t feel so good,” he remarked, suggesting that the Albert Park circuit, which was expected to be more suited to their car, failed to deliver the expected advantage.

“But I didn’t feel that today. So we still have a little homework to do,” confirms the Haas driver.

The German highlighted the high-speed corners as critical areas where the Haas car lost significant time, underlining the need for improved grip and balance.

“We lose a lot of time, especially in the high-speed corners, corners 6, 9, 10, 12 – that’s where most of the lap time lies.” says the German.

The introduction of the soft C5 tyres, used for the first time this season, further complicated matters for Haas. Both Hülkenberg and team boss Ayao Komatsu acknowledged the difficulties in extracting performance from the tyres, with Komatsu noting, “We had some problems getting the performance out of it,” and promising a thorough analysis.

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Magnussen’s slightly more optimistic outlook

Hülkenberg’s team-mate Kevin Magnussen was slightly more upbeat, despite finishing last in practice, two seconds off the pace. However, it’s important to note that Magnussen’s times were set on medium tyres, which offers a silver lining to his performance. “So it’s not too bad,” he assessed, keeping an eye out for possible improvements in qualifying.

Both Haas drivers recognised the challenges that lie ahead in achieving a significant qualifying position, with Hülkenberg mentioning that making it to Q3 would be “a fantastic achievement”, but anticipating difficulties. Tight competition in the midfield means that small improvements could mean big gains.

“Today we learned something about the balance, the car and the tyres. We’re trying to sort that out now and then squeeze out more power,” added Hülkenberg, hoping for a better performance in the coming sessions.

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Tyre management concerns

Tyre management, particularly in terms of graining, is a critical issue for Haas. While Hülkenberg dismissed the C5 tyre as a viable option for the race due to the severe graining he observed in practice, Magnussen’s long run on the C4 compound also showed signs of graining, although he noted that this seemed to be a common problem among the teams.

Magnussen’s feedback on his long run was mixed, suggesting that the team may have been overly cautious with tyre management early on, which affected their pace. However, he did acknowledge a strong finish to his stint, hinting at a possible strategy adjustment for the race.

As Haas heads into the rest of the Grand Prix weekend, the focus remains on improving both their qualifying and race pace. Team Principal Komatsu has emphasised the need for progress in these areas, signalling a determined effort by the team to address their current performance gaps. The Australian Grand Prix will be a crucial test for Haas as they strive to find the right balance and strategy to climb back up the grid in a highly competitive Formula One field.

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