P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Haas F1 car no longer plagued by “nasty” characteristics
The American-owned outfit, Haas, finished last in the constructors’ championship in 2023 due to race pace struggles caused by tyre issues experienced by their drivers Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg. Haas focused on race-distance runs during F1’s pre-season test in Bahrain to address the problem. The team’s boss, Ayao Komatsu, is optimistic about the new VF-24 car, expecting Magnussen and Hulkenberg to have more consistency in the upcoming season. Though lacking downforce, the VF-24 is deemed more predictable and consistent than its predecessor. Haas plans to maintain a race pace setup over a qualifying-focused strategy throughout the season to achieve better results. Komatsu believes this approach will provide a stronger foundation for the team, emphasizing the importance of learning about tyre management and long-run pace for success in races.
