2016 Report – Haas F1 Team: A first season and mixed emotions
The Haas team has experienced a lot of emotions during its inaugural season. First, the joys of a fifth and sixth place, illustrating a beautiful eighth place finish in the constructors' championship. But also disappointments, highlighting recurring issues on a still perfectible car...
Important figures
Team ranking: 8th
Number of points scored: 29
Best result: 5th (Grosjean: Bahrain)
Best qualifying position: 7th (Grosjean: Japan, Brazil)
The tree at the beginning of the season that hides the forest.
Newborn of this 2016 season, the world of Formula 1 closely scrutinized the Haas F1 Team’s grand debut. Everything had to be done for the American team, which relies on close collaboration with Dallara for the chassis design and Ferrari for the engine, transmission, and suspension components.
Despite some issues during private testing (notably with the wings), entrepreneur Gene Haas’s team, specialized in machine tools, arrived in Australia with an interesting base. This work was immediately successful in Melbourne. After the difficulties on Saturday – second to last row for both cars – Romain Grosjean clinched sixth place in Melbourne. A remarkable performance for a young team: one had to go back to 2002 to see a team score points in its very first race (Toyota with Mika Salo finishing sixth).
Beyond the feat, Romain Grosjean had nevertheless been helped by the red flag, waved following the spectacular collision between Fernando Alonso… and Esteban Gutiérrez, his teammate. The Frenchman spared his mechanics by making his only tire change during the interruption. Two weeks later in Sakhir, the dream continued. The driver with the number 8 achieved another magnificent result, the fifth; fairly, ahead of a Toro Rosso, a Red Bull, and two Williams!
However, the bellows collapsed very quickly. The Haas F1 Team was discovering the realities of a full Formula 1 season. The team under the star-spangled banner encountered all kinds of troubles. Wing problems (again, as in Austin) but above all brake issues, the major flaw of the Haas VF-16, which forced a supplier change at the end of the season. With an unpredictable car, the free practice sessions often proved to be quite challenging, greatly affecting overall performance. After Sakhir, the team led by Günther Steiner only entered the top 10 three times: in Russia, Austria, and the United States. As a result, the financial balance seems unbalanced, with 28 points scored in the first part of the season… and one point in the second part! This evolution actually has a rational explanation: faced with the drastic changes in the 2017 regulations, the team barely had the budget to fight two battles at once. The factory based in North Carolina turned to the development of the future car as early as May. Romain Grosjean himself admitted: the car has not undergone much wind tunnel work, to make room for the next one.
But the eighth place in the final constructors’ standings still exceeds expectations for this inaugural season. Haas F1 Team left behind three teams: Manor, Sauber, and especially Renault F1 Team.
Günther Steiner and Chief Operating Officer Joe Custer thanking Banbury team members this morning for 2016. #HaasF1 pic.twitter.com/8ISjbjlLQy
— MoneyGram Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) December 9, 2016
A one-sided Grosjean-Gutiérrez match?
Recruited as such, Romain Grosjean established himself on the track as the leader of the Haas F1 Team. With 29 points scored, the French driver scored all the points for his team in 2016! A performance that clearly speaks volumes in the direct match against his teammate.
But by analyzing the figures in depth, one piece of information stands out. Leading in the Qualifying match (12-9), the 2011 GP2 champion loses the hand in the race! If we look at the thirteen races where both cars crossed the finish line, we see that Esteban Gutiérrez wins the battle: 7-6.
Fortunately for him, the former Lotus driver maximized the performance of his car when needed. Except of course in Brazil. Qualifying seventh, Grosjean had a good opportunity. On the wet track in Interlagos, he crashed his car into the barriers during his reconnaissance lap, even before reaching the grid…
In a season made difficult by the evolution of his car, the now centenarian -102 Grand Prix raced since 2009- has often lacked patience. His complaints on the radio have been numerous. In the heat of the emotion of a tough qualifying session in Singapore, he even told his engineer that he was driving the worst car of his life! Words that will however have no consequences according to Günther Steiner, as the Frenchman is positively involved in the development of the car. Fiery but passionate, Grosjean has promised anyway: he will not be taken back for 2017!
Like in 2014, Esteban Gutiérrez was unable to score any points in 2016. Yet, the former Sauber driver deserved such a reward. He came close to it, finishing in eleventh position five times! His disappointment will remain the Italian Grand Prix. After achieving the first Q3 of the young team’s history (10th), the Mexican did not convert it into a final thirteenth place.
Despite a not-so-dishonorable performance against a solid Grosjean, his overall pace was one notch below on Sunday. He only completed 408 laps in front, compared to 492 for the Geneva native. And above all, he was much clumsier than his garage neighbor, causing two crashes in the first lap, both times against Nico Hülkenberg. He also stood out for an excessive disregard of blue flags, repeatedly hindering the race leaders. This, for example, angered Lewis Hamilton in Hungary.
Therefore, his eviction from the team for 2017 is quite logical. Formula 1 is a ruthless world and you have to seize your chance at the right moment, which the Mexican probably did not do, as he is already completing his third full season in the top discipline. Will there be another one? Discussions with Manor and Sauber are ongoing…
A background work for 2017, enhanced by a new pilot
The duo for the next season has undergone a change, with the arrival of the Danish Kevin Magnussen, who was already a priority choice for the team in 2015 before turning to Romain Grosjean. The former Renault driver should bring more consistency and speed.
Obviously, even if its working method is surprising, the Haas team has completed a more than decent season.
All the more so as Günther Steiner is clear on this: well assisted by the partnership with Ferrari, the Haas F1 Team still would not have exceeded its budget forecast!
And now, what will be the progression curve? If the team avoids trouble in free practice and follows a sustained pace of development, then the best is yet to come for next year. Like many among the “small teams”, Grosjean and Magnussen will expect a lot from the regulation change. A more regular entry into the points is to be hoped for the Haas F1 Team.
Some of our favorite snapshots of 2016. Which one is your favorite? #HaasF1 pic.twitter.com/O16iPGli47
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) 30 novembre 2016
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