Haas Sees Glimmers of Progress Despite Belgian GP Setbacks
Haas continues to grapple with performance issues, although recent upgrades offer a silver lining. The Belgian Grand Prix highlighted the challenges, yet also showed potential for improvement.
The Belgian Grand Prix was a mixed bag for Haas, who find themselves trailing in F1's midfield battle. Racing Bulls, Audi, and Alpine have surged ahead, with Williams as their closest rival. At Spa, Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon qualified in P16 and P18, moving up two spots due to others' penalties. However, any hopes for a clean run were dashed when first-lap contact forced them both to pit with punctures.
The early Safety Car, triggered by George Russell’s incident, offered some respite, but the damage was done. Bearman and Ocon finished P14 and P17, marking the team's fourth consecutive race without points. The VF-26's lack of rear downforce remains a significant issue, compounded by deployment problems over the weekend.
Despite these hurdles, there were positives. A new front wing improved handling, giving Bearman more confidence behind the wheel. "We had decent pace," Bearman noted. "Compared to Williams, we took a step forward, and we've closed the gap to Audi."
Bearman finished 14th, but found solace in the car's improved consistency, allowing him to push harder with fewer mistakes. "The car feels much better to drive," he added. "But we still need more downforce."
Ocon, meanwhile, continues to struggle with his car's inconsistency. "Silverstone and Japan were normal, but Spa was tough," he explained. "We have a huge deficit. We need to get a handle on these issues, but I trust the team will fix them."
Team principal Ayao Komatsu admitted that the VF-26's inherent problems have been evident since Bahrain testing. "Recent upgrades have delivered, but the real issue is the car's characteristics," he said. "We need to identify these problems earlier in the season."
Looking ahead, Bearman is optimistic about Hungary, hoping the circuit's layout will suit Haas. "We have limitations, but hopefully Hungary will bring more performance," he said. Bearman will share his car with reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa for the first practice session.
So, while Haas may be struggling to keep up, there's a sense that they're on the right track, albeit with a long road ahead.