Guenther Steiner has revealed the new direction of Haas‘s 2023 Formula 1 car concept, as the team pulls the plug on the current design.
Haas have displayed promising one-lap pace throughout 2023 but have failed to translate the performances into results during races, partially due to a problem with tyre wear.
As a result, they will introduce a b-spec car at the United States Grand Prix on October 20-22 at the Circuit of the Americas.
“The concept of the car will change quite a bit,” Steiner told the media. “Going in that direction you’re limited with your chassis and a few other things as you’re right now, but we are trying to go to the downward [sidepod] shape now, like everybody else has done.”
The team will look to draw inspiration from Ferrari, who have managed to solve their tyre problems from earlier in the season.
Ferrari struggled with degradation and balance throughout the season, but by the Italian GP they had solved the problem and maintained competitive pace despite being pushed by both Red Bulls across 51 laps.
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They went on to become the team to end Red Bull‘s unbeaten run in 2023 as Carlos Sainz took a stunning victory at the Singapore GP.
“Yeah, it’s going that direction [of the Ferrari downwash],” Steiner added. “I think we’ve got out whatever we could before going to the downwash option, so I think we cannot push it any further.
“You’ve always got to be careful and we cannot be sure, because our development time was not long,” the German-Italian continued. “But you have to take risks also risk looking into 2024.
“That is why it’s worth taking a risk and say we should have had longer to develop it but let’s do it, find out what it gives, and then at least next year, we’re in a better place to take the decision to start the project.”
New concept will be limited
As many teams have figured out during the modern F1 regulations, the limitations on spending and wind-tunnel/CFD time means that development now has to be carefully thought out as it’s no longer possible to make a 100% new car.
Haas, despite having more time than most teams, are no different and will face limitations in the packing of the car into the chassis such as radiators.
“We decide the radiators and stuff like that,” Steiner continued. “We cannot change them now. No, we just haven’t got the time to change the radiators and also your chassis. You can change everything, but it wouldn’t work out.”
