F1 team announce SIGNIFICANT change of direction

Max Verstappen, Australia, 2024, Red Bull Racing, Generic — Photo: © IMAGO

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F1 team announce SIGNIFICANT change of direction

The team have enjoyed an encouraging start to the 2024 season

Tyler Rowlinson

Sunday 31 March 2024 18:58 Updated: 19:20

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Haas look set to bring their first upgrades of 2024 to their car sooner than expected, in a significant change from previous years.

After finishing rock bottom of the constructors’ standings in 2023 with just 12 points, team owner Gene Haas made the decision to part ways with team principal Guenther Steiner at the start of 2024.

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Former trackside engineering director Ayao Komatsu was brought in to replace him, and following pre-season testing in Bahrain, the Japanese engineer admitted that the team would be near the back of the grid at the start of the season.

Despite this claim, Komatsu has overseen an encouraging start to 2024, with four points scored from the last two races.

Haas have scored four points in the last two races

Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen both scored points in Australia

Haas confirm upgrades sooner than expected

Nico Hulkenberg registered the team’s first point with a 10th-place finish in Saudi Arabia.

In Australia, Haas had a double points finish with Hulkenberg ninth and Kevin Magnussen finishing tenth – aided by George Russell’s crash on the final lap.

Addressing Haas fans in an email, Komatsu confirmed that the team are set to bring forward their first upgrades of the season earlier than anticipated, after promising signs from the aerodynamics department.

“Looking ahead, we know there is a lot of work to be done. Regarding the VF-24, the direction is clear,” he wrote.