Mid-season report: Haas F1 Team, a catastrophic start
What to remember from the first part of the season of the Haas F1 Team? Between uncontrollable cars and tensions between the two drivers, it is disastrous and forgettable for Mazepin and Schumacher.
A season already to forget for the Haas team. Unless a miracle happens, the team should remain at the bottom of the standings. With zero points and millions of euros to spend on repairs, the season is catastrophic. Not surprising given the performances of the cars. Even before the start of the season, Günther Steiner was already setting the tone. It is no secret that the VF-21 will not be developed as we are focusing our energies on 2022. We more or less know what to expect from this season in terms of competitiveness, he said last March.
It was obvious that the team was not going to shake up the hierarchy and fight for points in every race. But it doesn’t even compete with Alfa Romeo and Williams. That says a lot. This is not surprising because the team didn’t even use its development tokens to improve the performance of its car. Only the floor and the aerodynamics have been updated. For this 2021 season, Haas has chosen to skip and give everything for 2022.
However, there is a change among the drivers. Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen have given up their seats for two rookies. Formula 2 champion Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin, the son of Dmitry Mazepin, the main shareholder of Uralkali, the team’s sponsor. For the former, expectations for this young driver should not be too high. Just like his teammate, he will take advantage of this season to learn and gain experience in an F1 car.
Two new names for a little change. Haas approached this season by turning away from results and looking towards the future.
Recurring accidents
If only the lack of performance of the single-seater was the only problem. The two new drivers often ended up in the gravel or in the safety barriers. The fault lies with a sometimes uncontrollable car. We remember Mick Schumacher’s crash and his destroyed car during the last free practice session of the Monaco Grand Prix. The rookie lost control of his single-seater in the Casino corner and then hit the safety barrier at high speed. The driver fortunately escaped unscathed.
Plus de peur que de mal pour @SchumacherMick après cet énorme crash 💥
Pilote OK ✅#MonacoGP 🇲🇨
▶️ https://t.co/7plkVVV12v pic.twitter.com/R0VvoVRmL4
— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) May 22, 2021
Earlier in the season, in Bahrain, Mazepin finished his first F1 Grand Prix in the wall. Starting in nineteenth place, the Russian got off to a good start. In addition to the poor performance of his car, his lack of experience led to several mistakes. Trying to accelerate again in the second turn, he lost control of his Haas VF-21 and went straight into the wall. A season start that announced difficult times for the team. Adding the spins and the numerous damages almost every weekend, there is not much to take away from this first part of the season for Haas.
Tension between the two drivers for a disappointing financial result.
The performance of a single-seater is not everything. There is also the cohesion of the team. In the past, tensions between two drivers have already led to bad experiences, as well as good ones, such as the duel between Hamilton and Rosberg in 2016 for the title won by the latter.
At Haas, it’s the opposite. In several Grand Prix races, the behaviors of Mazepin and Schumacher have hinted at some tension. This was confirmed in Baku. Michael Schumacher’s son lost his temper after facing his teammate’s very aggressive defense in the final straight. He narrowly avoided a steering wheel blow from the Russian as the two were competing for a simple thirteenth place. As a result, both drivers have not scored any points during this first part of the season. Worse, they have not really shown satisfaction.
The teammates’ game
Whether it’s in qualifications or races, the domination is total for Mick Schumacher. Although the results are disappointing, Schumacher outperforms his teammate in the standings (9-2). The same result for qualifications (9-2). Michael’s son even secured an unlikely Q2 (15th) at the French circuit. As for Mazepin, he had to retire twice in this first part of the season. Not everything is to be discarded for Schumacher who intends to keep his place within the team.
