Gene Haas has admitted the 2021 season "wasn't easy to watch", as his eponymous team effectively sacrificed their campaign to focus on the sport's all-new regulations, but is hoping the decision will soon pay off. Having entered F1 six years ago, Haas endured their first pointless season in 2021, with an underdeveloped car being piloted by an all-rookie driver pairing of Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin. However, having made the extremely early call to switch development to 2022, and F1's new era of technical regulations, there is optimism in the Haas camp that they can climb back up the order this year.
Points the target for Haas in 2022
Speaking as his team's new VF-22 was presented to the world , Haas set his team the goal of challenging for points-paying positions again and "taking something" away from Grand Prix weekends in 2022. "It's that time of year where you're naturally optimistic that the hard work and effort of everyone will translate to a competitive entry on track," said Haas. "We made the decision back in 2020 to really channel time and resources into the VF-22, foregoing anything track-related for 2021 – which wasn't easy to watch. "Hopefully that decision bears fruit and we return to challenging for points and taking something from the weekends."
Rediscovering the Haas of old
Haas enjoyed a solid start in F1, gradually scoring more points across their first three seasons to rise to a high of fifth in the Constructors' Championship in 2018, when they recorded a best-ever race finish of P4 and P5 in Austria. Steiner is hopeful that the VF-22 - the first to emerge from the team's new design office in Maranello , led by Technical Director Simone Resta - will enable Haas to climb back up the pecking order and return to their previous level of competitiveness. "We all know what the team is capable of, we've proved that in the past, and with this new car, born out of a completely new set of regulations and with our new design team in place, I'm confident we can showcase once again that we can compete," added Steiner. "It's been a tremendous effort by everyone involved and now comes the fun part of getting the new car to the circuit and dialling in all the elements. "Last season was a long one but I'm confident that 2022 will see us back in the mix with the VF-22."
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