Haas is currently the only team that has yet to make any updates to its single-seater, the VF-22, but boss Guenther Steiner says that will change soon.
The staff of the American team is working hard and hopes to be able to arrive at the Hungarian GP , which will be held from July 29 to 31, with the first changes.
“I have always said that we do not introduce updates just because everyone does it. We go our own way. We only do it when we think we can make a breakthrough. It is not a show,” said Steiner, who did not hesitate to confirm when they hope to be able to incorporate a package of improvements.
“If all goes well, for Hungary. That’s just before the summer break. Hopefully that will get more performance out of the car, although the VF-22 is still going strong with the package we’ve been using since the beginning of the year.”
But before he can put the Hungarian GP on the calendar, Haas has to focus on next weekend as the Austrian GP approaches, the second race of a very busy July.
The American structure left Silverstone having managed to get both of its drivers to finish in the points and hope to continue in the same vein at the Red Bull Ring .
“We need a quiet weekend to get into the points. The rivals are strong. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll have another chance 14 days later in France. Personally, I think we have the potential to go for the points in every race.”
Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher celebrate the points after the British GP
Spielberg will be the second stop for sprint racing in the 2022 season, having held the first at Imola earlier in the year. One of the Haas drivers, Kevin Magnussen, has fond memories of his first experience with these reduced tests.
“We scored points in the sprint race and in the Grand Prix,” the Dane said of the Emilia Romagna GP, but also questioned the current format of the weekends which feature this change in procedure.
“If you didn’t qualify for the Grand Prix during the sprint race, but instead fought for your starting position for Sunday during Friday qualifying, then maybe there was a little bit more risk taking in the sprint race, by not jeopardize your starting position. Maybe it’s a solution for people to launch more in the sprint”.
His teammate Mick Schumacher is waiting for the rain to arrive, and that is very possible in Austria. The beautiful, green surroundings mean that it is common for water to fall from the sky and, looking back, we can remember that it would not be the first time it had happened during a race weekend.
The German has no problem admitting that he would like a repeat of this situation: “Yes, I want the humidity… I want it to rain,” Schumacher assured. “The car drives well in the rain. That’s motivating. If you’re already looking forward to the rain, it can influence your approach to something like that a lot more than someone who expects it to stay dry. It’s all a matter of mentality.”
