Throughout the current season, Haas F1 team has repeatedly watched promising grid positions dissolve into disappointing finishes, a problem compounded by race conditions, most notably at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Nico Hulkenberg, after qualifying second in Montreal but then dropping to fifth due to a penalty for over-speeding during the Q3 red flag, finished a disappointing 15th. Hulkenberg admitted that mere setup adjustments cannot remedy the problem, calling for Haas to devise a “long-term strategy to fundamentally improve our performance.”
In line with this, Haas has debuted a new pitot static sensor on the VF-23’s central nose section at the Austrian GP this weekend.
As Haas elucidated in the mandatory FIA document explaining all upgrades, this new component is a “low aerodynamic disturbance” part, boasting enhanced functionality for operations and data analysis.
Haas VF-23 technical detail
Photo by: Alex Kalinauckas
The team emphasized the importance of the pitot static sensor, calling it a crucial tool for wind tunnel testing and gathering aerodynamic data on land vehicles.
According to the team, “In a race car, and specifically an F1 model, accurate data collection and reliability under any race conditions are essential.
“We have opted to enhance the overall quality through an advanced combination of components and instrumentation.”
As per F1 Flow.com’s understanding, Haas hopes the data derived from the new sensor will assist in addressing its ongoing race tyre wear problem.
Before the Red Bull Ring race commenced, Kevin Magnussen, who dropped from starting fourth in Miami to finishing tenth, indicated that the persistent issue is more foundational than just setup-related.
He said, “Comparing to 2019 [when Haas was also known for qualifying well but underperforming later due to inherent aerodynamic imbalances], the rules have drastically changed.
“Car regulations are quite different now. So, we can’t directly attribute the problem to the same car part.
“The main issue remains that we perform well on a single lap but struggle with higher tyre wear and more difficulties in traffic than our competitors over a longer stint.
“Our performance is roughly as anticipated when we drive in free air. However, we face major inconsistencies when we encounter traffic or challenging tyre conditions, like a bumpy track.”
Haas VF-23 technical detail
Photo by: Alex Kalinauckas
Magnussen also indicated that the VF-23 has a narrow effective performance window, contributing to its inconsistent form.
“Generally, throughout the weekends, one session you rank 8th, the next 18th, and then bounce back to 10th,” he explained.
“The performance window is very narrow. When it works, we can qualify in the top five. But when it doesn’t, we’re out in Q1. The fluctuation is massive.
“The tyre wear issue intensifies in traffic and it gets substantially worse.
“We never reach a point in the weekend where we’re satisfied with our performance. There’s always a desire for more.
“But I think this is a deep-seated problem that becomes significantly worse during the race, especially when we have to run longer on tyres, tail other cars, and cope with bumpy tracks.
“The performance window for the car is just too narrow.”
Read Also:
How Haas Overcame F1’s New Team Curse
Hulkenberg: Haas F1 Team Requires “Long-term Strategy” to Boost Race Pace
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Haas F1 team upgrade
What is the main issue the Haas F1 team is facing?
The Haas F1 team has been dealing with persistent tyre wear issues and fluctuations in race performance. Despite securing high grid positions, the team often finishes in lower ranks due to these problems.
What solution has Haas introduced to address this issue?
To tackle the tyre wear problem, Haas has introduced a new pitot static sensor on the VF-23’s central nose section. The sensor is expected to enhance functionality for operations and data analysis, which could help mitigate tyre wear issues.
What is the role of the new pitot static sensor?
The new pitot static sensor is a tool for wind tunnel testing and collecting crucial aerodynamic data. Haas hopes that the data gathered from this new sensor will help in addressing the ongoing race tyre wear problem.
What did Nico Hulkenberg say about the problem?
Nico Hulkenberg admitted that the issue is not something that can be fixed with setup adjustments. He called for a long-term strategy to fundamentally improve the team’s performance.
What does Kevin Magnussen say about the team’s performance?
Kevin Magnussen indicated that the VF-23 has a narrow effective performance window, which contributes to inconsistent race forms. He also mentioned that while the car performs well on a single lap, it struggles with tyre wear and traffic over longer stints.
More about Haas F1 team upgrade
- Understanding F1 car upgrades
- Haas F1 Team Profile
- How Do F1 Tyres Work?
- Exploring Pitot-Static Systems
5 comments
what’s with all the tire problems this season? it’s like they can’t catch a break. Time for a big shake-up, imo.
cant believe Haas is strugglin so much! hope the new sensor does the trick for them…
Didn’t they have aero problems before too? Now tire wear? sort your stuff out Haas.
Hulkenberg and Magnussen deserve better, honestly. Hope Haas gets its act together soon.
Interesting to see how the new sensor works out. data is king in f1 these days…