Just looking at the American team. One new driver booted from McLaren, one rather frustrated Frenchman. So how will they do?
Will it still be a copy of the Ferrari? Or with the new rules, they're at it themselves now? If the latter, I really don't know...the car didn't progress at all well last year. I have serious doubts regarding Grosjeans feedback, which basically ranges from ''this car is the best car ever'' to ''this is the worst car ever'' (which varied on a week by week basis). I'm aware that proper technical feedback isn't given publicly on the radio, but it is a worry. The car quite simply not progressing is not based on just this year, as soon as Kimi left Lotus, and Grosjean basically inherited lead driver status, the cars he was lead driver off never progressed will through the season, always going backwards. Haas last year failed to bring any decent upgrades to the car to sustain speed, got lucky at the USA gp with several high profile retirements (Kimi, Max, Hulkenberg). It failed to address things such as brake issues throughout the season. IF their car will be a complete 1 off design, not based on Ferrari suspension, chassis and/or aero. Their current chief aero guy hasn't got a good track record, having worked for Jaguar (on one of their worst ever cars), briefly at Red Bull before sacked by Newey, HRT (...) and Ferrari, working on their aerodynamically inefficient 2012-2014 cars. Not a good track record...
If the Ferrari engine/hybrid power unit is better, they will be better. I'm not holding my breath regarding any podium finishes let alone wins.
It's a customer team in only its second year. I don't expect miracles. They did well last year, beating more established teams, but the learning curve will be harder this year. Haas has experienced drivers, but I question their technical team. Points are possible, podiums unlikely, and wins out of the question, IMO.
I said they will do the same as last year because the other small teams seem to be a mess. So despite the increased challenge of developing this year's car, I don't think the other teams will leapfrog them. I think their drivers may implode if things are really rough though as I believe you are eluding to above. A legitimate concern.
Agree with everything. I would only add that they are bringing two brake setups to the first test of 2017 to try to kill that problem immediately.
Same Ferrari engine as last year and I don't believe they are running the "FRIC" or "HPC" system.....so no changes as to where they finish this year compared to last year.
It's Haas' big desire to buy major parts from Ferrari. While that keeps the cost down, it also excludes them from upgrades as the season progresses; Ferrari aren't in the business of spending many tens of millions in development only to give it away. They may start out reasonably well enough, but will fade away as the season progresses and the money isn't there for serious development. Sound familiar? I just think it funny that he's using the venture to give international exposure to his business of selling machines that make things, when the team itself is so dependent upon having things made for them by someone else.
They stated that after their huge success in the first races they already were satisfied and they were not very interested in developing the car anymore to switch to 2017 early, so the lack of development was expectable. Anyway, I expect them to do worse than in 2016, because they now have wind tunnel time limitations that they hadn´t as a new entrant. Also, there are well funded teams that in 2016 were still in a retreat and regroup phase like McLaren and Renault that will beat them easily since the first race.
Haas doesn't have to beg for money and has much better leadership. Not sure I understand the correlation.
Sauber was bought up last year and is financially stronger but that wasn't my point. Sauber like Haas starts strong in the season but then neglects to develop the car and falls back to the end of the grid. With Manor gone Sauber becomes the tail light and Haas takes Saubers 2nd to last place. I love both teams and was hugely disappointed by them last season.
Gotcha. I don't think Haas will stay there though. He's use to winning and I doubt he will be content to just stay in the game long term.
Honestly I have no idea. There is absolutely a ceiling also with the current regulations. Basically the goal would be to beat Williams, Force India, McLaren, and Toro Rosso IMO and be behind RB, Merc, and Ferrari....presumably behind Renault also once they get their act together.
Haas is no idiot, he knew he wasn't going to do fantastically well for a few years, and realistically, if at all, but he wanted to give it a shot, like his buddy Penske did back in 1974-75. 'You miss 100% of the shots you don't take'. Wayne Gretzky
Gene Haas said that he would spend $1billion in F1 over 10 years to promote its machine tool company. I suppose that's a commitment.
Haas outperformed rookie teams last year. I believe that Hass will still outperform, But they will continue to languish near 5th in the constructors championship.
Doesn't seem like enough to be competitive without sponsorship. But I also recall him saying something to the effect that they want to get some good results before they ask others for money. So it could work out.
Somebody said Haas doesn't have a title sponsor. Sure, Haas is its own main sponsor, but that doesn't preclude looking for extra sponsorship. As for their budget 100M per year put them above the tail Enders like Manor and Sauber. They are looking at a mid-field spot, being after all a customer team like Force India.
