Haas can see 'light at end of tunnel' after taking backward step

Haas

Haas can see 'light at end of tunnel' after taking backward step

Ian Parkes

Monday 22 March 2021 11:07

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Guenther Steiner believes there is finally "light at the end of the tunnel" for Haas as it focuses on emerging from its current slump.

Following the worst season in the team's short history last year, team principal Steiner has already made clear the forthcoming campaign will be no better.

Steiner has insisted the objective for Haas is developing a car for the highly revised 2022 regulations that will ensure it is again competing strongly in the midfield.

It is why Steiner maintains there will be no lack of motivation this year.

“I think we’ve got a few things to keep us motivated through the year," said Steiner.

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"We’ve got two young drivers [Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin] that we need to develop, and we will develop over the year. That will come with some excitement, I’m sure of that.

"Then the light at the end of the tunnel is 2022 where we will be back at our full strength because we regrouped last year and we made a step back to take two forward.

"For sure, some things will be challenging – also personally to keep on pushing, but I think we can do this. In the end, it’s all in nine months, but it’s 23 races. We are prepared for it and we’ll get it done.”

A small boost for Haas this year is the VF-21 will at least sport an upgraded power unit from Ferrari given that last year's engine was significantly down on power and played a key role in the team's struggles.

Assessing this year's system following recent pre-season testing has been difficult given neither Schumacher nor Mazepin put through the VF-20 through its paces that would allow them to draw a comparison with this year's car.

Steiner, however, added: "I fully trust Ferrari in what they are saying to us as well as what they’re doing.

"We can see on their car that it’s better. For us, our testing was mainly focused on getting the two rookies as many laps as possible.

"We couldn’t really do back-to-back [comparison] as Mick, for example, was only in last year’s car for one full day after Abu Dhabi, and Nikita only drove a Haas F1 car for the first time on our shakedown in Bahrain this year.

"I fully trust in Ferrari and I’m sure that the power unit is more powerful.”