In the competitive arena of Formula One, tyre management is a critical aspect of race strategy that can make or break a team’s performance on race day. After a challenging 2023 season marked by tyre wear issues and underwhelming race results, the Haas F1 Team has emerged in 2024 with a much improved approach to tyre management, signalling a potential turnaround in the team’s fortunes.

The Haas VF-23, the team’s entry for the 2023 season, was notoriously hard on tyres, earning it the nickname “tyre killer”. The American team’s struggles were compounded by a series of setbacks, including a failed attempt at a major update and a change in leadership, with Ayao Komatsu stepping in as the new team principal.

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Fast forward to 2024 and the story has changed. The Haas VF-24, the latest iteration of the team’s F1 car, has shown significant improvements in tyre wear management over the first three Grands Prix of the season. While some qualifying speed appears to have been sacrificed, the team has seen a marked improvement in race day performance, scoring points in two of the three races so far.

Reflecting on the team’s progress, Ayao Komatsu emphasised the importance of race pace over qualifying speed and suggested that at least four races’ worth of data would be required to truly assess the team’s improvements in tyre management.

“The race pace is now better than the qualifying pace,” says Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu.

“But that’s really circuit specific. But I don’t really want to judge [whether our tyre wear is better] until you’ve done at least four races.”

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Analysing the data: Haas better than Red Bull

According to data from PACETEQ, an analytical partner of Formula1.de, Haas has demonstrated a significant improvement in tyre wear management in 2024. With an average tyre wear rate of 0.066 seconds per lap, Haas is the fifth most tyre-friendly team, outperforming even Red Bull.

This improvement translates into significant time gains over the race distance, underscoring the team’s strategic shift to prioritise race performance over qualifying speed.

Under the leadership of Ayao Komatsu, Haas has adopted a more race-centric approach, focusing on long runs during pre-season testing and emphasising race pace. This strategic shift is part of a broader effort to address the team’s historical challenges with tyre management and race performance.

“Obviously, the way we set up the car… You concentrate on race speed, but it doesn’t happen overnight,” said the Japanese team boss.

“That’s what we concentrated on in the pre-season tests. So that’s the basis, if you like.”

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Qualifying vs. race performance

While the VF-24’s improved tyre management has improved the team’s race-day prospects, it raises questions about the trade-off between qualifying speed and race performance. Haas’ relatively modest improvement in qualifying pace compared to other teams suggests a deliberate strategy of prioritising race day reliability over grid position.

However, Komatsu remains optimistic that addressing the car’s weaknesses will improve performance in both qualifying and race conditions.

“I don’t think we need to focus on qualifying all of a sudden,” says Komatsu.

“But as far as the weaknesses of our car are concerned, it’s pretty clear – and if we can improve that, then I think it will improve both qualifying and race performance. I don’t think it’s a compromise.”

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Challenges ahead: High-speed corners and aerodynamic development

Despite the positive start to the 2024 season, Haas faces ongoing challenges, particularly in terms of high-speed corner performance. The upcoming Suzuka Grand Prix, with its demanding high-speed sections, will be a critical test of the VF-24’s capabilities and the effectiveness of the team’s aerodynamic development efforts. When asked about Suzuka for the next race, the Japanese Haas boss was candid:

“Performance in the high-speed corners, for example,” answers the Haas team boss.

“If you look at Bahrain, turn six, turn seven and the qualifying performance in the first sector in Jeddah, we don’t have enough grip.”

“And I’m sure you’ll see that in the first sector at Suzuka, which, as you know, is the next race on the 2024 calendar. The aerodynamicists are working very hard to find performance in those areas.”

Could this be an indication Haas are struggling with Japan’s circuit layout? Komatsu says it might be the case saying:

“I think it will be difficult if you look at our performance at high speeds. We are not good there and it will be difficult. But we have a good race pace and then we can work quite well.”

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The development war

For Haas, the 2024 season is not only about overcoming tyre wear issues, but also about keeping pace with the rapid development cycles of Formula One. Komatsu has indicated a shift away from relying on major update packages in favour of incremental improvements to ensure the VF-24 remains competitive throughout the season.

“It’s well documented that in the history of the Haas F1 Team we have never been able to give the car an upgrade that improves performance,” says Komatsu.

“So that’s one of our biggest challenges this year. That’s why in pre-season testing we focused firstly on understanding last year’s tyre problem.

“Secondly, we did some tests in Bahrain to give the aero department a clear direction: this is how we need to develop. And we did both, I think, at a good level.”

“So I think our guys have been given clear instructions on how to develop the car. And with the numbers I see in the wind tunnel, I think we’re doing it right. But of course it remains to be seen if it works when we actually implement it and put it on the car.”

This is because of their tightly packed schedule, which forces teams to implement updates as soon as possible. Even the small packages, if they are a clear improvement: “We have to put them on the car. Tens of seconds make a big difference in this tight field.

“So there won’t be one big package. We’ll try to introduce them little by little. But it won’t be like last year in Austin, where we completely redesigned the car, nothing like that.”

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Keeping an eye on the competition

With the midfield battle in Formula One tighter than ever, Haas is well aware of the need to capitalise on every opportunity. Teams such as Williams and Alpine are close rivals and their potential improvements pose a constant threat to Haas’ position in the championship.

“It’s great that we’re in a slightly better position [than Williams], but that’s no reason to be complacent.

“You have to take advantage of it, because sooner or later I’m sure Williams will get their problems under control, because they’re already faster than us in qualifying. I’m sure at some point their race pace will be better.

“Alpine, they’re not too far behind us in qualifying either. I’m sure they’ll improve their cars. So you have to take every single opportunity, otherwise you can lose a position in the championship very, very easily.”

As the 2024 Formula One season progresses, the Haas F1 Team’s ability to manage tyres effectively, coupled with strategic developments and a keen eye on the competition, will be crucial in determining whether the American outfit can continue their journey towards the front of the grid.

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