Haas will have "stronger" upgrade push in F1 2023
Haas's hopes of building some momentum in Formula 1 this year are boosted by the squad finally having a proper upgrade programme for the first time in a while.
The American outfit has been constrained by budget limits in recent seasons, which left its hands tied in terms of being able to afford regular development steps.
In 2021, the team brought only a single upgrade to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix very early in the campaign, whereas last year it focused its efforts on a single new package that it brought to the Hungarian Grand Prix.
With rivals bringing updates more frequently and able to make good progress, Haas has revealed that it is likely going to do things a bit differently in 2023 than it has in the past.
Speaking about the plans, Haas technical director Simone Resta said: "On upgrades, I think it's probably one of the most 'fashionable' arguments in Formula 1, and I won't spoil the surprise for anyone.
"For sure, we'll have a stronger programme of upgrades compared to last year and we are still working on that. We are at the very beginning.
"We've just defined the launch car, so the team is working on it, we have our roadmap, but it's very early to say exactly what we'll do and when."
Haas should have a bit more financial freedom this year, as the result of both moving up to eighth in the constructors' championship and landing a new title sponsorship deal with Moneygram.
And while team principal Gunther Steiner has said increased revenue will not prompt it to change its business model, Resta says there should be some benefits.
"Finishing eighth in the 2022 constructors' championship has been a very positive result for the team," he said.
"Of course, we aim to always do better and finish better, but I think it was a very good step forward and this will inevitably give some extra resources to the team.
"We are always trying to maximise the amount of money we can invest to move forward and make another step. That has been one of the aims with this new project to be able to have a stronger in-season development programme."
New Haas changes
Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team
Photo by: Haas F1 Team
The new Haas VF-23 ran for the first time at Silverstone on Saturday and featured some key visual changes to last year's challenger.
In philosophy terms, Resta says it is just an evolution – but he is clear that a lot of detailed work has gone on to find both aero and weight improvements.
"We try to save a few of the components on last season's car but try to improve the aerodynamic performance of the car, improve the weight of the component and improve the quality of the component," he said.
"There has been a massive rework of the car – some of the components don't look radically different – it's probably more a development of the 2022 car but there is a complete rework of the car involving many, many components."
The detail changes that stand out on the new Haas F1 2023 car
AlphaTauri reveals tweaked F1 2023 livery
Mercedes explains the six upgrades on its W14 F1 car
Mercedes explains the six upgrades on its W14 F1 car Mercedes explains the six upgrades on its W14 F1 car
Hamilton: New Mercedes F1 contract "nearly there", no Ferrari talks
Hamilton: New Mercedes F1 contract "nearly there", no Ferrari talks Hamilton: New Mercedes F1 contract "nearly there", no Ferrari talks
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
Norris was "nervous" about Monaco F1 Q3 run after car repair
Norris was "nervous" about Monaco F1 Q3 run after car repair Norris was "nervous" about Monaco F1 Q3 run after car repair
DTM Oschersleben: Preining on pole as Porsche dominates Sunday qualifying
DTM Oschersleben: Preining on pole as Porsche dominates Sunday qualifying DTM Oschersleben: Preining on pole as Porsche dominates Sunday qualifying
The long evolution of Dallara's Indy 500 winner
The long evolution of Dallara's Indy 500 winner The long evolution of Dallara's Indy 500 winner
Hamilton's Mercedes F1 future "never a millimetre in doubt" amid Ferrari rumours
Hamilton's Mercedes F1 future "never a millimetre in doubt" amid Ferrari rumours Hamilton's Mercedes F1 future "never a millimetre in doubt" amid Ferrari rumours
The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP
The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?
Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari? Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?
Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience
Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience
Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?
Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks? Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?
The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery
The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery
The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades
The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades
What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team
What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.