F1 2024 team preview: Can Haas go up from 10th place?

Haas enters the 2024 Formula 1 season with a duo of seasoned drivers, Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg, who bring a wealth of experience to the team. A surprise to many was Magnussen’s 2022 comeback after being dropped in 2021, when he returned for his eighth season with Haas.

After three seasons without a permanent seat, Hulkenberg, on the other hand, joined Haas in 2023. Both drivers have shown how much they value their position in Formula 1 and how keen they are to contribute to Haas, despite their difficulties.

Ayao Komatsu Takes the Helm

A period of time at Haas came to an end with the resignation of longtime Team Principal Guenther Steiner. Known for his energy and enthusiasm, Steiner led the squad through highs and lows during the team’s 2016 entry into the sport.

But in 2023, while the team was wallowing in the bottom of the constructors’ standings, something had to give. Unexpectedly, Ayao Komatsu, the previous Director of Engineering, takes over as Steiner’s replacement.

Komatsu offers a lot of expertise to the team that dates back to its founding, together with a new outlook and a strong will to forge his own path. His experience as an engineer may come in handy when tackling the team’s persistent technological issues.

Prospects for 2024

As Haas looks ahead to the 2024 season, they are focused on making significant improvements to climb out of the cellar of the constructors’ standings. Haas hopes to overcome their tyre wear problems and challenge their midfield opponents with a refreshed technical strategy under Komatsu’s direction and experienced drivers in Magnussen and Hulkenberg.

The team’s development during the season in relation to their starting position will be used to determine their success, in addition to their performance in Bahrain. There is hope and expectation for a change in Haas’s fortunes in the forthcoming season as the squad gets ready to present their new opponent.

Driver Line-up

Haas continues to use Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg as his drivers, creating one of the most seasoned teams on the field.

Magnussen had a difficult 2023 season, hampered by a lack of competitive machinery, despite his incredible return to the team in 2022. That being said, he is a formidable force due to his uncontrolled talent and perseverance.

Although the team struggled last season, Hulkenberg, who recently celebrated his 200th F1 start, showed moments of brilliance.

Predicting the Pecking Order

Haas underwent major changes following a difficult 2023 season in which the team finished last in the constructors’ standings with just 12 points. Long-time Team Principal Guenther Steiner left the organization. Performance problems, especially on race days where tyre deterioration hampered the team’s progress, were cited as the reason for the departure. Though Hulkenberg’s P7 in Australia was the team’s best finish, there were signs of hope.

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