Hülkenberg sees a promising future for Haas
The future former driver of the American team is optimistic about the team's future in the category. According to him, the changes made could allow them to compete much more at the front in the coming years.
These are remarks that will surely please Haas. Despite his departure from the team at the end of this season to join Sauber and the Audi project, the German Nico Hülkenberg recently spoke about the American team and believes that the changes made this winter within the structure have been beneficial to him and will also be in the coming years.
Also read: Leaving Haas, “a difficult decision to make” for Nico Hülkenberg
As a reminder, while the team had finished the 2023 season in last place in the Constructors’ Championship, it finds itself this season in a fierce battle with Racing Bulls for sixth place. A change in status that is due to several factors, with a different approach adopted this season being the main one.
A car now much better in the race
Last season, the drivers managed on numerous occasions to reach Q3, proof of the speed of the single-seater over one lap. However, in each race, the same pattern repeated itself, with the Haas cars quickly falling back in the hierarchy because the car overheated its tires too quickly. A problem that has been analyzed for many months and which seems to have been resolved this season.
“A feat made possible thanks to the joint work of the drivers and all the staff according to Ayao Komatsu, the new head of the team: « It’s not just [Hülkenberg]. It’s [thanks to] the whole team [and to] the way we work together since pre-season testing, involving the driver as much as possible to understand how to manage the tires. » The Japanese is satisfied with the developments brought by the team this season, with a new aerodynamic package that works without destroying the tires anymore, which has often allowed both drivers to finish in the top 10.”
A promising future at Haas according to Hülkenberg.
A good momentum that will continue in the coming years according to Hülkenberg. The German, who is living his last moments at Haas, has been able to see internally all the evolution of the team since his arrival in 2023. In an exclusive interview with Autosport, the former Force India driver is confident about the future of the team in the world of Formula 1. I think the team is very well structured now. I think it’s a functional organization, and we have proven this to some extent this year with the changes that have taken place this winter.
The German driver notably mentioned the departure of Günther Steiner and the arrival of the Japanese Ayao Komatsu at the helm of the team, which immediately gave a new dimension to the team, which seems to have worked very well during the winter. Results that exceed expectations, giving the team a lot of confidence for the future.
But I hear that there are more exciting things in store for the team, which can only help them, I think. And I believe that Haas will become a serious competitor in the years to come, especially next year, as the regulations remain stable, said Hülkenberg, aware of the positive direction his future ex-team is taking.
The German sees the Faenza team fighting even more at the front in 2025, since the regulations will not change, and could benefit from the new regulations in 2026 to return to the forefront. « 2026 is unknown to everyone, but what is exciting about 2026 is that it is a blank page, and that makes things interesting for all the teams that could do a better job than others and stand out. »
Before that, the American team must finish its championship on a good note, notably by managing to exceed Racing Bulls in the team standings, Haas currently only having a three-point lead. A seventh-place finish would be a fair reward for a team with limited financial resources, but which is doing a fantastic job this season, giving them a lot of hope for the future.
