Hulkenberg’s eighth place put Haas back ahead of Alpine
Nico Hulkenberg says he wants to “go out strong” by helping his Haas Formula 1 team to secure sixth place in the World Championship before he leaves at the end of the season.
Having recently overhauled VCARB in the battle for sixth Haas lost the position to Alpine in Brazil when the Enstone team logged a double podium.
However Hulkenberg’s eighth place finish in Las Vegas, achieved by a crucial pass on Yuki Tsunoda in the closing stages, saw Haas regain the position.
“Every point matters, for sure,” he said when asked by this writer about the significance of the Las Vegas result. “For now, I’m just happy that we maximised the opportunity today.
“We had the pace, but it was certainly a tough and challenging race with the tyres, and with graining.
“I guess at least everyone in the midfield had the same symptoms and difficulties. But I think we managed it well.
“We offset our strategy a bit, decided to delay the stops, to have fresher tyres at the end. And that worked well and paid off, so happy.”
In the late stages Hulkenberg had to fend off Fernando Alonso while also trying to find a way past Tsunoda.
“Obviously we know that we have a bit better pace than Aston at the moment,” he said. “And he had quite old tyres compared to me, I think his tyres were more than 10 laps older.
“He was there, but I knew that I probably always could control him. It was more about managing my tyres in Yuki’s dirty air and managing the battery in the right moment to get him.”
Hulkenberg says he’s relishing the challenge of trying to secure sixth place for Haas.
“I enjoy myself very much in the team,” he noted. “I’ve said that many times. And obviously I want to go out strong. And I think we’ve done a really good job over the winter and all this year.
“And I would like obviously to celebrate with the team in Abu Dhabi Sunday night. It’s two to go, it will go down to the wire. Nobody else is going to hand it to us. So we have to earn it, and do a good job in the next two.”
Haas Formula 1 boss Ayao Komatsu says his team has to “regroup” and “refocus” after a frustrating weekend in Brazil saw it lose a place in the constructors’ championship lost to Alpine.
Haas had been consolidating its sixth position with good scoring relative to VCARB in recent races only for a double podium at Interlagos to propel Alpine up three spots from ninth.
Meanwhile Haas failed to score in the wet Sao Paulo GP, with Nico Hulkenberg disqualified after receiving outside assistance following a spin, and Oliver Bearman finishing 12th after an eventful race that included a penalty for hitting Franco Colapinto.
Komatsu accepted that a big score for a midfield team in a chaotic race was always a possibility.
“This can happen any time,” Komatsu told me. “Of course, I wasn’t expecting a double podium from any of our rival teams, as in Alpine, RB and Williams. But it happened, so it is what it is.
“We’ve got three races left, we’ve got to really regroup and refocus, and then just try to do the best job we can for the last three races. So congratulations to Alpine, they were quick, really quick.”
Komatsu admitted that wet weather doesn’t favour the Haas VF-24, although he admitted that the team had also made mistakes.
“Not making any excuses, but I would have preferred a dry weekend, because in the dry I’m sure we had pace,” he said. “We showed that in FP1, that we have pace.
“And we showed it in sprint qualifying as well. In SQ3, Ollie had low tyre temperatures, but we should have been fighting for P6, P7. So in the dry, I think we were decent.
“But this year we discovered whenever we run in wet condition, either inters or full wet, we’re not very competitive. But to be fair the race, in patches, it was actually better than expected.
“So even for that side we found some positives. But there were so many operational errors, so we need to improve as a team on that.”
Despite Bearman’s difficult race Komatsu praised his reserve driver after he replaced Kevin Magnussen at the last minute.
“If you talk about baptism on fire, our car is not the easiest car in those conditions,” he said. “So if he was driving, let’s say an Alpine, it would be a different story as well.
“Ollie made many mistakes. He was inconsistent, but he showed the potential. Of course if Kevin was driving, he would have been more consistent, I’m sure. But you throw somebody into the most difficult conditions.
“I had a good chat with Ollie already afterwards, and I said what I needed to say, but not in a bad way.
“He’s already proven that he’s such a fast learner, so he will learn from this, and he already learned from it, even during the race, his consistency got better, and the lap time was good as well.
“So put him in the same situation, if it was next weekend, he will do much better, there’s no doubt.
Kevin Magnussen says that “something weird” has happened and given him confidence in the Haas VF-24 in last two races, with the Dane citing changes to the brakes as one possible reason.
The team had an aero update in Austin, where Magnussen qualified eighth for the sprint, and finished it in seventh.
He also qualified ninth for the main event, although he finished out of the points after a strategy miss-step by the team.
In Mexico he qualified and finished seventh, well clear of team mate Nico Hulkenberg and the rest of the midfield runners.
The team’s recent haul of points has pulled it clear of VCARB in the battle for sixth in the World Championship.
“I think we did the best we could today,” said Magnussen when I asked about his performance.
“We couldn’t have done it better if we tried it again. So just had the kind that sweet spot, was super confident in the car, very, very comfortable, didn’t make any mistake through the whole race.
“So it was just so easy to drive, I could push the tyres and manage them at the same time, and just got it into that little window where the magic happens.”
Magnussen admitted that he was surprised by his race form relative to the following pack.
“I wasn’t confident on the grid before the race that I was just going to be pulling away,” he said. “But that ended up being the case.
“I was behind Mercedes, so kind of I was thinking, this might be okay! So, yeah, very happy.”
Asked why it has gone so well he said: “I don’t know. We made some changes, to the brakes, for example. And I’ve just been very confident in the car.
“And what I need to do is try and hang on to that confidence. Something weird has changed in that the last two races that has given me a car that I can really push.”
He added: “I think it’s getting better and better. As I said a couple of things, apart from the upgrade, were changed, and are better.
“So certainly I’ve been very confident in the car in the last two races, and it’s been nice to drive, and it’s been enjoyable.”
Magnussen said that new confidence was the key to his stronger qualifying performances.
“I think when you’re really on the limit, you need to be confident on the brakes,” he said. “You need to just feel confident that the car is going to do what you what you ask it to. And we’ve had a quick car for a while, I just haven’t been confident with it.
“And these last two races, at least, I’ve been confident. And I think it’s down to some of the changes that were done to the brakes, for example.
“And I think the upgrade is also in my direction. We’ve got a stronger rear, and a little bit weaker front. So I think that’s not bad for me.”
Asked if the car can be a Q3 challenger everywhere he was more circumspect.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if it swings around,” he said. “It’s F1, so you never know. And especially in the midfield, there’s no guarantee. So we’ve been strong in these last two races, and very happy that we got something out of that.”
Magnussen has shown good pace over two F1 weekends
Kevin Magnussen admits that he was surprised to be able to repeat the good form he showed in Austin by qualifying an impressive seventh for the Formula 1 Mexico City GP.
With team mate Nico Hulkenberg in 10th Haas has won the first battle of the weekend with constructors’ championship rivals VCARB, whose cars will start from 11th and 12th.
In Austin Magnussen qualified eighth for the sprint and ninth for the main race. However the Dane wasn’t expecting that form to carry over to Mexico.
“We put a good weekend together in Austin,” he said when asked by this writer about his current form. “Except for the race with the strategy, but it was strong.
“We were thinking that it was going to just be a one-off track specific thing, Come to a very different track here, and it’s good again. So very happy with that, and happy with P7 hoping we can stay ahead of the of the midfield tomorrow.
“There’s a couple of good cars that fell out of Q1 that are probably going to make it through. But if we stay ahead of the midfield, there should be some points.”
Magnussen says recent Haas upgrades appear to have worked as intended.
“I think we had the car in a good spot in Austin,” he said. “And it’s a different track here, but we have been able to just take the same car and put it on track, because it’s high downforce.
“I think it’s showing, of course, that the upgrade has at least not been a bad thing, and I think it’s given us a little bit, which is good. And in this tight midfield, if you even gain half a tenth, it’s going to make a big difference. So I think we’re in a good spot.”
Regarding starting ahead of VCARB he said: “We sort of ticked that box, right? So it’s a long day tomorrow and nothing’s given, it’s a long stretch down to Turn 1 after the start here, a lot of things can happen. So we’ve got to keep it together, and hopefully get some points.”
Meanwhile having been eighth in both Q1 and Q2 Hulkenberg was disappointed with 10th on the final grid.
“It didn’t come together that well, particularly the last run on new tyres,” said the German.
“It’s been a struggle, to be honest, all weekend long. I’m struggling to find the good rhythm, and to get the good connection with the car.
“Some runs are a little bit better than the next run I go out, and it’s kind of back to beginning and struggle for rhythm and harmony.
“So, yeah, it’s been a challenging weekend from that point of view. And quali the same, some laps good, some laps just really kind of a struggle. And at the last one in Q3 wasn’t good, unfortunately.”
Hulkenberg is still happy with his decision to join the Audi project
Nico Hulkenberg says he would still opt for a future with the Sauber/Audi Formula 1 project despite now knowing that his current employer Haas has forged a new partnership with Toyota.
Hulkenberg signed to drive for the Hinwil team from 2025 back in April, long before Haas and Toyota discussions began to progress.
The arrangement, announced last week, clearly gives Haas resources that it didn’t previously have, such the ability to have an in-house simulator.
However Hulkenberg insists that his decision to join the Swiss team wouldn’t change if he had to make it today, despite Sauber’s failure to score a point this season.
“No, it wouldn’t,” he said. “I mean look end of last year, where we were, and how we started this year, how fast of a turnaround it can be. And things can change so fast in F1, it’s so dynamic.
“I’ve seen it here with Haas and experienced it first hand, how quickly it can improve and be better. And there’s no reason why my next year’s team couldn’t do the same.”
Asked if he was sad to be leaving Haas just as the Toyota deal begins he said: “Sad, but not because of that. I like the team, by the end I’ve spent two years here, and it’s been a very happy two years, very positive. And I’ve really enjoyed myself.
“But obviously, I made a conscious decision early in the year, now quite some time ago already, to pursue a different opportunity. One that is very exciting, very big, big challenge, a big job.
“Am I going to be sad to leave here and then not work with some people? Yes, but that’s life, and that’s motorsport.”
Like rivals Haas has an update package for Austin, which the team hopes will give it a boost as it tries to beat RB to sixth in the World Championship.
“When teams bring updates, it’s always important and crucial for them to get a read on them, to understand them, to get the correlation readings, to see do they perform?,” he said. “Are they doing what they’re supposed to do and intended to do? We have six races to go, as we all know, and the race is on, the fight in the championship.
“But I think we’re in good shape. We’ve had some strong showings and performances recently, the atmosphere and the team is very good. And in general, we’ve had a pretty good year already.
“And to some extent, I feel the other teams that we’re fighting in the midfield, they have probably a bit more to lose than us. We’re coming from ‘p-last,’ and doing pretty well.
“Big recovery so far this year, which doesn’t mean, you know, we’re going to stop. Obviously, we’re going we’ll push on until the very end, and then fight for that P6.”
Hulkenberg expects that he and team mate Kevin Magnussen will start the weekend with different specs in FP1.
“We’re going to split a little bit. I’m not entirely sure yet of the details how we’re going to run it, but I think we want to cross compare for correlation and understanding.”
Regarding the scale of the latest update he said: “Silverstone was the biggest, and I don’t expect it to be the same magnitude.
“That’s at least also what the numbers suggest. But there’s always that element of having to run it on track and see what it actually does.”
Komatsu with with Akio Toyoda and TGR boss Tomoya Takahashi
Haas Formula 1 boss Ayao Komatsu says that the new collaboration with Toyota is a “perfect combination” that won’t impact the current arrangements with Ferrari.
Haas has signed a technical partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing that starts immediately, with TGR logos on the car at the upcoming US GP.
While few details have been given on what the new deal involves will involve as initial steps Toyota will help Haas to install a simulator at its Banbury base.
It will provide the resources for a TPC programme that will see the 2023 car next season used for private testing that will allow Toyota to give its young drivers some F1 mileage.
Both parties insist that there are no plans for Toyota to eventually develop its own power unit.
“We are the smallest team on the grid and we’re lacking certain resources and hardware capability to understand certain things,” said Komatsu.
“And then in terms of being more competitive in the midfield, we are looking for somebody who can give us more resources, that horsepower, and also have the hardware and the know-how to use that hardware.
“And Toyota Gazoo Racing gives exactly that. They have a great facility in Cologne, so we will be able to utilise that also.
“F1 is a high technology sport, but really what matters is people, personnel. So we both would like to educate, trying develop our personnel in a F1 environment to be a mutual benefit to each other.
“So lots of let’s say objectives that are coherent in each other’s organisations. So that’s why that was the key in deciding to go for this technical partnership.”
Regarding the first steps he said: “We’ll be able to kick off some activities such as simulator and TPC with this collaboration.
“And then our, let’s say, for our mutual benefit, they are looking for, let’s say latest know-how or skill set, which we have. But we don’t have their facilities, we don’t have the number of people, their resource.
“So that’s how we are tapping into each other’s expertise, and then learning in the areas that we are weak relative to each other. So it’s really sort of like perfect combination to have the mutual benefit.”
Komatsu insists that the new arrangement has no impact on the existing Haas deal with Ferrari, which currently extends to 2028.
He also kept Fred Vasseur fully informed about the discussions with Toyota.
“Our partnership with Toyota, just to be clear, it’s not to replace the Ferrari partnership,” he said.
“The Ferrari/Haas partnership is the foundation, and it’s always going to be the foundation, and this partnership is not to take away from it, but actually enhance the fundamental partnership with Ferrari.
“What we have with Ferrari, what we get from Ferrari, is amazing. That’s really the foundation of Haas F1 team. But the areas Toyota TGR can help us are outside of that.
“Again, we’ve been completely transparent with Ferrari management, of course, from the early stage of this discussion.
“So we both have a clear understanding of what engagement we have in which area with TGR, how we need to protect the IPs over the each company. So that’s how we are planning to do it.”
He confirmed that Haas will still work in the Ferrari wind tunnel, and that design work will continue to be based in Italy.
“Of course, we need the Maranello design office, because nothing changes the fact that we are going to be buying a gearbox and suspension from Ferrari,” he said.
“So to that extent, it makes sense to have our DO in Maranello. We’ll continue to use the Ferrari wind tunnel, so our aerodynamicists will continue to be based there.
“But for instance, we will start designing some other carbon composite parts by ourselves, and then also starting some testing, and then simulator work, some other areas that contribute to the performance of the car.
“Where we house them exactly, whether it’s in Maranello or the UK, is something we need to define in the future. But again, I just like to stress that it’s not to replace what we have with Ferrari.”
Regarding chassis manufacturer Dallara he added: “Dallara is our important partner. They’ve been with us from day one. As you know, they’ve been building our chassis from day one. So that’s another key, important relationship.
“And then again in due course we’ll be discussing which parameters will keep working with Dallara, which parameters we’re going to work with Toyota, but we will co-exist. It’s not to replace one another.”
Nico Hulkenberg says his ninth place in Singapore for the Haas Formula 1 team was a form of “redemption” after his mistake late in the previous race in Azerbaijan.
In Baku Hulkenberg got up to ninth when he passed the Carlos Sainz/Sergio Perez accident scene in the closing laps.
He was expecting an immediate safety car or VSC period, but the track briefly went green again. Both Lewis Hamilton and his own team mate Oliver Bearman snuck past, demoting him to 11th.
In Singapore Hulkenberg made amends by qualifying sixth and finishing ninth, having held off Perez for many laps.
While it was inevitable that the two Ferraris would get by he was disappointed to be jumped for eighth at the pitstops by Fernando Alonso.
However the team’s strategic focus was on outscoring immediate championship rivals RB and Williams, which it succeeded in doing.
Haas now lies just three points behind RB in the battle for sixth place.
“Happy to get points, that’s what matters, obviously,” said Hulkenberg. “From that point of view, good. A few things I think to look into and review in terms of strategy. But otherwise a clean race, obviously not very eventful, but quite stressful, keeping the Red Bull at bay for the whole second stint.
“It was tough to bring it home with the tyres and everything, but yeah, we managed. Happy, and a bit of redemption from last week.”
Hulkenberg played down the fact that he’d beaten Perez’s Red Bull.
“I think we’ve been there thereabouts many times this season,” he said. “It’s not the first time we pulled it off.
“I think obviously, we put ourselves in a really good position already yesterday with quali. That was also one of the key points.
“I had a good start and a clean race. So I don’t care if it’s a Red Bull or who it is, it’s important that we get those points.”
He added: “A very intense second stint. I had to stay faultless and super clean and clinical, like everyone. But yeah, it was tough feeling heat from him and catching Fernando, then being in his dirty air.
“It’s tough to overtake obviously with these cars, when you get close now, and the braking zones are so small we brake so late, very difficult to overtake here. But yeah, difficult second stint under a lot of pressure from him [Perez]. Not that we were racing, but I just had to stay clean.
“It wasn’t easy, it was very challenging and tough. So it makes it a bit sweeter that we managed to succeed.”
Hulkenberg remains confident that Haas can beat RB to sixth place.
“I think everyone in the team firmly believes that we can challenge and fight them,” he said. “We scored a point last weekend [with Bearman]. We should have scored more, and now six races to go, it’s all to play for.
“Obviously, they’re not going to hand it to us. They’ll try to fight back, but it’s just a race till the end. But I think we have good momentum. Now there’s a bit of a break, but the next triple header, I really look forward to probably my favourite time of the season.
“We’re competitive in the races, and in Austin, we actually get further upgrades. So that’s encouraging, but I think some good circuits coming for us and our package, and I look forward to hopefully a couple more points.”
Magnussen has started more races for Haas than any other driver
The Haas Formula 1 team has formally confirmed that Kevin Magnussen won’t be retained in 2025.
However there is no official news as yet on his replacement, despite Esteban Ocon having been associated with the seat for some time.
Oliver Bearman has already been confirmed in the other car, with Nico Hulkenberg leaving to join the Sauber/Audi project.
Magnussen drove for the US-owned outfit in 2017-’20 before being dropped when the management opted for rookies Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin for 2021.
However he was called back early in 2022 as a last minute replacement when Mazepin’s presence became untenable before the start of the season.
The Dane looks unlikely to find another F1 seat for 2025. However team boss Ayao Komatsu has suggested that he may yet have a longer-term role with Haas.
“I’d like to thank Kevin for everything he’s given us as a team – both on and off the track,” said Komatsu. “He’s truly been a bedrock of our driver line-up over the years.
“Nobody’s driven more races for us and we’ve had some memorable highlights together – not least a remarkable fifth place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2022 when Kevin returned to start his second spell with the team.
“He wasn’t expecting to be driving a Formula 1 car that weekend, but he put in a remarkable performance that was a tremendous boost to the entire organization and once again showcased his own talents behind the wheel.”
Regarding the future he added: “There’s plenty of racing to go this year so I’m looking forward to seeing what else we can achieve with Kevin as we push together in the championship.
“Beyond that, and with Kevin’s special relationship with the team, I’m hoping we can find a way to keep working together in some capacity.
“We can hopefully define that in the near future, but his extensive experience in Formula 1 and knowledge of our working operations are undoubtedly of value in our ongoing growth and development.”
Magnussen, who earned a pole for the team in Brazil in 2022, made it clear that he wants to end on a high.
“I’d like to extend my thanks to everyone at MoneyGram Haas F1 Team,” he said. “I’m proud to have raced for such a great team of people these last few years.
“In particular I’d like to thank Gene Haas for his commitment to me, notably in bringing me back once again in 2022 when I thought, at that time at least, my time in F1 had ended. I’ve enjoyed some great moments with this team – memories I’ll never forget.
“While I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my racing career, I remain fully focused on giving everything I’ve got for the rest of 2024.”
After another frustrating 11th place Hulkenberg expects more at Silverstone
Nico Hulkenberg is hoping that an upgrade package due for Silverstone will help to propel his Haas Formula 1 team back into points contention.
In Spain the German finished 11th for the fifth time in the last seven races in 2024, having chased Esteban Ocon to the flag.
On his in-lap he told the team that the performance was “just not enough” before adding that it had been a positive race and that “with the Silverstone stuff coming we should be OK.”
“We’ll see,” he said when asked by this writer about the about the upcoming changes to the VF-24. “Updates, you always want to verify them and feel them in reality, but I’m hopeful in a way that they will obviously bring something to the car.
“Silverstone is massively high speed, we know that, and that package is aimed more at high-speed, or those improvements. So hopefully they can give us an edge.”
He downplayed any lingering frustration about his recent run of 11th places.
“To be honest, I don’t even remember them,” he said. “They get erased from my mind. So just wipe your mouth, and go again in a few days.
“I need that new point system already. Next year when it comes I’m still going to invoice for this year!”
Although he just missed the points once more in Barcelona Hulkenberg insisted that it had been a good weekend for Haas.
“Positive race generally,” he said. “Obviously, not quite enough. But I felt the pace was pretty strong, especially the final stint did, how I was catching Esteban.
“When I really pushed to put him under pressure, I think the pace was very, very respectable and good at that moment.
“I tried to attack him, but then my tyres started to give up on me, so couldn’t do it. But like I said, all in all, I think I feel we maximised the race. Had a good start, a good lap one. And, yeah, I feel like this was the maximum today.
“Obviously Esteban was my reference, and I was definitely faster than him and catching him, but obviously he has 10 seconds to Pierre [Gasly], but there’s only fast cars ahead after.
“Definitely positive, probably better than what I, or we, expected. So in a way, that’s encouraging.”
Regarding the 5-second pit speeding penalty he picked up he said: “I locked up quite badly, more than I expected. I had the brake balance rearwards, but I lost the front tyres quite badly on the way in.”
Hulkenberg is hoping for a competitive weekend in Austria, where he enjoyed a rare 2023 high by qualifying fourth and finishing sixth in the sprint.
“It was due to the mixed conditions, wasn’t it?,” he said. “Especially the sprint, where we scored points.
“Austria I guess can always be a mixed bag in terms of weather, and I hope to be honest for similar conditions. It makes it more interesting, mixes things up, and I guess, more opportunity for us.”
Haas has announced Ben Agathangelou as its new head of aerodynamics, and the team says that the Briton is already working on the project in the Ferrari wind tunnel.
Agathangelou joins chief designer Ben Taylor, who was announced some weeks ago. Both men have previously worked with Haas team principal Gunther Steiner.
The 43-year-old Agathangelou’s impressive resume includes stints with Tyrrell, Jaguar, Red Bull, HRT and latterly Ferrari. He also worked at Dallara on the DW12 Indycar project.
Haas continues to sign up F1 veterans, with the list including former Jordan and Marussia man Dave O’Neill as team manager. Handily he ran the Marussia operation from the same base that Haas recently purchased.
“While there is still a lot of work to do, a lot has already been accomplished for Haas F1 Team to be competitive when we join the F1 grid in 2016,” said Steiner. “Our technical partnership with Ferrari has allowed us to develop our car and our people at an exceptional pace.
“The way we’re going about our F1 team is new and different, but it’s working. We’re committed to our plan, we’re committed to F1 and, most importantly, we’re on schedule. This time next year, our cars will have already been tested and we’ll be readying them for Melbourne.”
News that the team is already working in the Ferrari tunnel will be greeted with interest by rivals. Teams face tight restrictions on tunnel hours and Haas will have to make it clear that Ferrari is gaining no advantage from the hours that the US team is using.
Adam Cooper F1 