F1 News: Haas Become Next Team To Confirm 2024 Launch Date
Haas F1 has confirmed its plans to unveil the new VF-24 car, with an initial shakedown scheduled for 11 February at Silverstone and a subsequent shakedown in Bahrain just before the official test. Ayao Komatsu, the team's new boss, shared his cautious optimism about the car's potential, highlighting that it represents a clear step forward, albeit with doubts about its competitiveness.
Key Takeaways
- First Glimpse of VF-24: Haas F1 will showcase its new car, the VF-24, for the first time during a shakedown at Silverstone on 11 February, with a possibility of revealing the car's livery on social media beforehand. A second shakedown is set for Bahrain, just two days before the official test.
- Team Boss Comments: Ayao Komatsu, the new team boss, acknowledges that the VF-24 is a significant step up but expresses uncertainty about its immediate competitiveness. He highlights the late start to the car's development as a potential drawback.
- Team Philosophy and Performance: Haas F1, now under Komatsu's leadership, has revised their car concept following last season's update failure. Komatsu, realistic yet positive, does not blame the team's designers and engineers for the car's potential limitations. Haas F1 finished last in the previous season's constructors' championship and will continue with drivers Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg.
Haas F1 Team is preparing for the 2024 Formula 1 season with a fresh approach and new leadership. The team has scheduled two shakedowns for its latest car, the VF-24, with the first one taking place at Silverstone Circuit on 11 February. This event marks the first public appearance of the new car, although Haas might tease the livery on social media prior to this date.
The team's new boss, Ayao Komatsu, has been candid about the VF-24's prospects.
"The ’24 car is a clear step,” he said.
“But whether it is good enough against the competition to start off with? I don’t believe so because we started so late."
Haas F1 has made significant changes to its car design, particularly after a major update failed to yield the desired results last season in Austin. Despite these changes and the appointment of Komatsu as Guenther Steiner's successor, the team is cautious about its expectations for the upcoming season. Komatsu's approach is grounded in realism, focusing on gradual improvement rather than immediate success.
