Haas expect even better 2023 car as design team gels

Jon Wilde 05 Feb 2022 4:00 AM

Nikita Mazepin Haas from above. February 2022. — A shot from above of the livery on Nikita Mazepin's Haas VF-22. February 2022.

Simone Resta believes Haas’ design team should create an even better car for 2023 as they continue to gel together.

Haas were the first team to show off anything of their brand-new 2022 challenger, the VF-22, when they revealed a selection of images displaying a very similar livery to last year’s.

They are hoping that with the heavily revised Formula 1 regulations, the new car will be much more competitive than its predecessor which failed to finish in the points with rookie drivers Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin at the wheel.

A return to the midfield from the back of the grid is the main target, but there could be further progress in 2023 according to Haas’ technical director because the designers at the team’s complex in Maranello, home town of their engine supplier Ferrari, are still in the early stages of their collaboration.

Launching the new era of Formula 1 cars 🙌

Proudly presenting the #VF22 #HaasF1 #FWD2022 pic.twitter.com/JvK9YoJjbb

— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) February 4, 2022

“Although it has been a challenge, I can’t stress enough how proud I am of the team we have built over the past year,” said Resta, who himself is effectively ‘on loan’ at Haas from Ferrari.

“With new team members, many from Ferrari, and working very closely with Dallara, we now have a fully-fledged design office in Maranello.

“If we look back a year ago to where we are now, I think there has been a dramatic step forward and if we could take the staff we have now and go back to this time last year, it would have been fantastic to start the project with them.

“It’s important to highlight we are still in the early stages of our development and transition. We will still grow a lot this year and finesse areas and skillsets.

“I expect we will see the best deployment from this team in one year after developing the car and in general just more time working with each other.”

Before their decline began in 2019, when they dropped to ninth in the Constructors’ standings, Haas had enjoyed their best campaign the previous season since their arrival on the grid in 2016, finishing fifth in 2018.

Scoring points on several occasions has to be the primary aim for 2022, but Resta is trying to keep matters in perspective.

“My overwhelming emotion is being pleased about the work we have done, I’m quite proud,” said the 51-year-old Imola-born engineer.

“I think it would be difficult to do more. That doesn’t necessarily mean we will achieve all our objectives, I’m always realistic.

“I think there will be progress this season if all goes well and there aren’t any surprises.”