The first look at the new Formula 1 cars is here. But how much 2022 is there in the renderings of the new Haas car? It was not entirely clear in advance whether Haas would present the new paintwork on an old car, a prototype like the Formula 1 model shown from Silverstone, or really the new VF-22.
But a first look was enough to see: It is a car of the new Formula 1 generation. And it also differs from the demonstration model from last year, with which Formula 1 presented the new era to the public.
As always, however, one can assume that there will still be a lot going on with the car between the launch and the test drives as well as the season opener. Because no team should reveal their tricks in advance – especially not the very first one.
“The car that we showed is a stage of development,” says team manager Günther Steiner. “Obviously we won’t show the last stage of development because it’s a completely new set of regulations and we’re the first to present it. There will still be a few changes.”
car not ready yet
Haas couldn’t have presented a finished car today anyway, because there simply isn’t one yet. Even when Mick Schumacher was in the factory for a seat adjustment earlier in the week – Nikita Mazepin is doing his this weekend – only parts of the car were ready. “But there was enough to adjust the seat,” confirms Steiner.
The racing team does not need a finished car until February 21 if they want to carry out a shakedown in Barcelona – so to speak, a shakedown before the shakedown. Because the three days in Barcelona from February 23rd to 25th are not officially test drives.
At the three-day shakedown you will also see how much the car has changed since its launch. “There will be a few improvements here and there. The car will look a little different,” confirms Chief Technology Officer Simone Resta, who is curious to see what the other teams will unpack.
Excited for the first Barcelona day
“Everyone will drive on the first day in Barcelona and I’m pretty sure we will see different ideas,” said Resta. “I’m sure that you can then think sufficiently about how to develop the car in a different direction.”
However, the main goal of the first test rounds is that everything runs smoothly at first. That’s not always the case with a brand new car. “It’s a completely new car, so it’s always exciting when you drive out for the first time. Where will the quirks be?” says Steiner.
“The expectation is to go out there and put in solid laps. That’s the first expectation because if you’re reliable and you can go, you can learn a lot and develop, you can gather data to find the best set-up for the first race on the to find a car.”
When asked about the main goals of the VF-22, Steiner said only one thing: “Go fast!”