Mid-season review: Haas, the ascent continues

5th in the Constructors’ Championship: 66 pts

The case of the Haas F1 Team is symptomatic. Arriving in 2016, the team, a Ferrari customer, represents the new model of Formula 1. A small budget but a close partnership with the Scuderia, using many parts from the Italian car and an overpowered engine: the VF-18 is formidable, especially on straight-line circuits, whether its rivals like it or not. The progression is impressive, and aerodynamic developments have brought real advantages during the season, on the front wing or the floor.

Which translates to a nice financial statement: 8 points finishes in 12 races, and a superb weekend at the Red Bull Ring, concluded with a 4th and 5th place. 29 points at the break in 2016, 47 in 2017, and 66 this year: the progress is impeccable. And yet, Haas could have done better this year! Besides Grosjean’s inconsistency, the team missed out on two top 5 finishes in Australia. Due to improperly tightened wheels, both drivers were forced to retire. Yet, the team is 16 points away from Renault and fourth place in the constructors’ standings.

The pilots

The balance of power has clearly shifted. Team leader since his arrival in 2016, Grosjean is no longer the driving force in the first half of the season. Enter an astonishing Kevin Magnussen! The Dane has always maintained his aggressive driving style (Pierre Gasly can attest, squeezed against the wall at 300 km/h in Baku), but now performance and consistency are present. Never before has he scored so many points in half a season! Admittedly, “K-Mag” hasn’t achieved the team’s best race result, but his managers appreciated his ability to keep a cool head in all circumstances. And even in qualifying, he surpasses his teammate. The former McLaren and Renault driver has added credibility to his career.

Amazing race today!! 💪🏽 8 more points in the bank 👌🏽 pic.twitter.com/BUS0NS4gVD — Kevin Magnussen (@KevinMagnussen) 24 June

Opposite, chaos, and rare clearings. Clearly, Romain Grosjean has fallen back into his 2012 habits. Unconceivable lack of concentration under Safety Car regime in Baku, dangerous crash at the start in Spain, uncontrolled aggression in France, two collisions in the race (including one with Magnussen) in Great Britain for an abandonment… the list is too long. Not to mention another crash in qualifications, in France! The icing on the cake, his often clumsy communication, certainly in the heat of the moment, but terribly damaging to his image.

Seconds into the #SpanishGP – carnage 💥

Take a look at *that* early crash from all the angles 👀

Grosjean OUT

Gasly OUT

Hülkenberg OUT#F1 pic.twitter.com/3RinHMW1BF

— Formula 1 (@F1) 13 mai /f1/actualite/22496-gunther-steiner-la-vf18-est-une-evolution-de-la-monoplace-2017.html

After an incredible series of eight pointless races, the former Lotus driver still brought a fourth place to the team in Austria, benefiting from the retirements of the Mercedes duo and Ricciardo. He also enjoyed himself in Germany, finishing sixth after several overtakes at the end of the race, on a wet track. But on a regular basis, Grosjean is outclassed by his teammate. It’s embarrassing for the supposed number 1 driver, who has cost his team around ten points.

It was a day to remember for the @HaasF1Team

50th race ✅
Best finish (P4) ✅
Biggest points haul (22) ✅#AustrianGP 🇦🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/9qFjTvO8hi

— Formula 1 (@F1) 1 juillet /f1/actualite/22496-gunther-steiner-la-vf18-est-une-evolution-de-la-monoplace-2017.html

*: the statistic does not account for cases of double withdrawal (in Australia here)

The rest of the season

Now, can the Haas F1 Team go higher? Allow us to doubt it for this end /f1/actualite/22496-gunther-steiner-la-vf18-est-une-evolution-de-la-monoplace-2017.html: the absence of the team from private testing proves it, the firm based in Carolina is not rolling in money. Therefore, as for the past two years, the American team will barely develop its car. Its chance? The recent financial troubles of Force India and the instability of McLaren. With its engine power, Haas could maintain its fifth place and enter for the first time into the top 5 of constructors.

On the driver’s side, the Grosjean case will need to be managed. The Frenchman does not have a guaranteed spot for 2019. Even though the team is grateful for him starting with them in 2016, the patience of the management is not infinite. The seat will be reconsidered after the summer break, Günther Steiner recently said on the matter. Behind the scenes, the American team has at least one new prospect, with the potential arrival of Sergio Pérez and his suitcase of cash. Yes, the Haas F1 Team has become bankable!

Fifth in the points, but No. 1 in our hearts. @RGrosjean | @KevinMagnussen pic.twitter.com/mlrUqKfLVi

— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) 4 juillet /f1/actualite/22496-gunther-steiner-la-vf18-est-une-evolution-de-la-monoplace-2017.html