Haas regains sixth place from Alpine in Las Vegas

She quickly knew how to bounce back. If the Brazilian Grand Prix had somewhat worried Haas, given Alpine’s double podium which allowed Oliver Oakes’ team to take the lead over the American team in the standings, the Las Vegas race dispelled doubts. However, everything could have turned out differently, especially after qualifying. If Haas seemed to be the fastest midfield team after the free practice sessions, it saw its rivals Alpine and Racing Bulls surpassing it. Pierre Gasly secured an excellent third position, while the Japanese Yuki Tsunoda finished seventh, two places ahead of Hülkenberg. The two Haas drivers were indeed frustrated after qualifying.

Frustrating qualifications

The German driver explained that he had difficulty finding the limits on this circuit and considers this ninth place to be a disappointing result. Overall, the qualifying sessions were correct, but I would have liked to be a little further ahead – I think sixth place was only half a tenth away – which would have made me happier. But we will try to have a good race tomorrow.

On his side, the Dane regretted not being able to reach Q3 after his twelfth position. There were some good laps, but we didn’t have the necessary pace during practice. It’s a bit of a question mark. I expected us to be the best of the rest, and suddenly I found myself behind a few others without knowing why. We can still score points starting from the 12th place. An optimism that proved to be paying off in the race.

Four new points for Haas

Ninth on the starting grid, Nico Hülkenberg had a solid race, greatly helped by Pierre Gasly’s retirement due to an engine issue. However, the former Force India driver also showed all his experience against Yuki Tsunoda. Neck and neck for most of the race, the German finally found the opening on Yuki Tsunoda on the 45th of the 50 laps of the Grand Prix. Finally eighth at the finish, just ahead of his Japanese rival, Nico Hülkenberg was thoroughly satisfied after allowing his team to regain the advantage over Alpine in the constructors’ standings.

« Every point counts, that’s for sure. I’m glad to have seized the opportunity today. It was a clean, well-executed race, and as expected, it was very difficult on the tire side with the graining, especially on the front. This worried everyone, but we managed it well and we stood out a bit from our main competitors, which worked well. Our pace was also good. So I am happy.

A joy shared by his boss Ayao Komatsu, who even believes that it is the best eighth place ever obtained by Haas. The Japanese saluted the work of his entire team, capable of bouncing back after the difficult round in Brazil.

A team assured and able to react quickly to difficulties.

« It was not an easy race to manage, but what really makes me happy is that nobody panicked. Everyone remained calm. Everyone, including the team at the factory, did their job, and to have achieved this great two-stop race with Nico to get eighth place is fantastic.

A fair reward for the work done by the German this season. If he leaves the American team at the end of this season, he still hopes to leave on a positive note by securing this sixth place.

« I enjoy being part of the team a lot. I have said it several times. And obviously, I want to start strong, you know. But there are still two [races] left. It’s going to be a close call. No one else will give us the victory. So, we have to earn it and do a good job in the next two [rounds]. »

As only two rounds remain this season, including the Qatar Grand Prix which features a sprint race, nothing is set in stone yet for the sixth place in the constructors’ championship. Just four points separate Haas, Alpine, and Racing Bulls, and every point scored will be crucial, as millions of euros are at stake.