F1 News: Haas To Introduce B-Spec Car Inspired By Red Bull RB19 To Austin Grand Prix
Realizing that the competition is way stronger than it was a few months ago, Haas has decided to step up the game with the introduction of a B-spec car during the Austin Grand Prix, which is heavily based on Red Bull's RB19.
Complaining about the car's pace, handling, and faster tyre wear on the VF-23, Haas driver Kevin Magnussen spoke of the Italian GP as being the worst race of the year. But then, such results were anticipated as the team headed to Monza without any upgrades. A high-speed track and an old front wing meant the car struggled to cut through the air, forcing the team to pit twice.
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However, the US-based team had been working on a major upgrade for a few months which will find its way onto the car during the Austin GP in October, as per auto motor sport. Team Principal Guenther Steiner revealed the decision about the heavy modification at Zandvoort:
"We will be heavily modifying the car to better understand which direction we have to go next year."
The existing version of Haas' VF-23 F1 car was developed on similar lines to Ferrari's SF-23. That doesn't come as a surprise since the team purchases most of the under-fairing components from Ferrari which form the basic architecture of the car.
However, Haas engineers failed to seal the underbody against the turbulence of the rear wheels. This was a challenge that even Ferrari faced but they went on to make minor changes to the car as per the direction from the simulation.
Struggling to improve the Ferrari-based concept further, Haas switched lanes by deciding to develop the car on the lines of Red Bull's F1 car. Thus, it shouldn't come as a surprise that the new version of the Haas F1 car, the B- version or the B-spec, will look more like a Red Bull car. After all, the engine cover, the side pods, and the underbody are heavily based on the RB19.
A bigger advantage for Haas is that the B-spec car would lay the foundation for the development of the 2024 car. The suspension, radiator, chassis, and transmission must remain the same this season. But, with the change in components, the team must take the risk now, if they want to witness a competitive car next year. Steiner added:
"The risk would be even greater if we didn't find out until Bahrain 2024 that something was wrong with our new path."
Steiner is keen on obtaining data from the last five Grand Prix of the season for the development of the VF-24 car, which will see a drastic change from the existing version.
The coming year will also see Haas receive a new chassis and transmission from Ferrari. However, both components are expected to be heavily undercut, like on the Red Bull car and the suspension would be made to adapt to the new concept.
That brings us to the conclusion that it isn't only Haas who is following the Red Bull way. Ferrari too, will be implementing similar changes on the SF-24 next year.
