Haas Formula 1 team on schedule for first 2016 pre-season test
The Haas Formula 1 project is running on schedule, with the American outfit confident it will have a car ready to go on day one of 2016 pre-season testing
The F1 newcomer has a technical partnership and engine supply deal with Ferrari, while Dallara is responsible for its chassis.
"At this point, we're good," team principal Gunther Steiner told AUTOSPORT regarding preparations for the 2016 challenger.
"There are a few things a bit delayed.
"But when the calendar was changed, with the first race moving back into April, we could put a week extra on here or a week there.
"The factory in Banbury should be finished in four weeks and the machine pattern work for chassis will be done in the next two weeks.
"The schedule is very tight, but it's the same for everybody.
"Ferrari does not sign off its car off before March and we go with their schedule.
"In the end, we will get to the first test."
Haas has the benefit of having a close technical partnership with an established team in Ferrari as well as a year to prepare without having to focus on racing.
The second season will be more challenging as the team has to develop a car while concurrently working on the next design, which for 2017 will be radically different.
Steiner said: "We've working on the plan for 2017 for two months. Next year looks positive but 2017 is a big challenge.
"Normally the second year is the hardest year, but the challenge in 2017 is bigger than normal so we need to have a good plan."
Team owner Gene Haas added that he believed his experience in NASCAR will help the team evolve into one that can become more self-sufficient.
"We have a lot of resources to help build our car and as time goes on, we'll learn more and more," he said.
"The more we learn, the more we can do on our own.
"The cars are like anything else, they are like a complex algorithm that you have to solve and I think we're pretty good at solving them."
A Ferrari reserve driver will take one of the new team's seats, while Haas is aiming to give the other to a current F1 driver. A decision is expected this month.
Previous article
New high-speed Formula 1 crash camera ready for testing
Next article
Force India Formula 1 team plans big upgrade for Mexican Grand Prix
Why the 2021 title fight is far from F1's worst, despite its toxic background
OPINION: Formula 1 reconvenes for the Russian Grand Prix two weeks after the latest blow in ‘Max Verstappen vs Lewis Hamilton’. While the Silverstone and Monza incidents were controversial, they thankfully lacked one element that so far separates the 2021 title fight from the worst examples of ugly championship battles
How F1’s other champion to emerge from 1991 thrived at Lotus
Mika Hakkinen became Michael Schumacher’s biggest rival in Formula 1 in the late-90s and early 2000s, having also made his F1 debut in 1991. But as MARK GALLAGHER recalls, while Schumacher wowed the world with a car that was eminently capable, Hakkinen was fighting to make his mark with a famous team in terminal decline
The forgotten F1 comeback that began Jordan’s odyssey
Before Michael Schumacher – or anyone else – had driven the 191 (or 911 as it was initially called), Eddie Jordan turned to a fellow Irishman to test his new Formula 1 car. JOHN WATSON, a grand prix winner for Penske and McLaren, recalls his role in the birth of a legend…
The squandered potential of a 70s F1 underdog
A podium finisher in its first outing but then never again, the BRM P201 was a classic case of an opportunity squandered by disorganisation and complacency, says STUART CODLING
The other notable Monza escape that F1 should learn from
OPINION: The headlines were dominated by the Italian Grand Prix crash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who had the halo to thank for avoiding potentially serious injury. But two days earlier, Formula 1 had a lucky escape with a Monza pitlane incident that could also have had grave consequences
How Monza only added more questions to F1's sprint race conundrum
With two sprint races under its belt, Formula 1 must now consider its options for them going forward. While they've helped deliver exciting racing on Sundays, the sprints themselves have been somewhat lacking - creating yet another conundrum for F1 to solve...
Who should Alfa Romeo sign for 2022's F1 season?
OPINION: With Valtteri Bottas already signed up for 2022, all eyes are on the race for the second seat at Alfa Romeo next year. Antonio Giovinazzi is the current incumbent, but faces a tough competition from appealing short and long-term prospects
The "forced break" that was key to Ricciardo's Monza excellence
OPINION: Daniel Ricciardo has long been considered one of Formula 1’s elite drivers. But his struggles at McLaren since switching from Renault for 2021 have been painful to watch at times. Yet he’s recovered to banish those memories with a famous Monza win – built on a critically important foundation
