Haas vow to make amends at 'second Monaco' after early nightmare

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has vowed 'to put right' the team's Monaco Grand Prix failure earlier this season when it pitches up for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Komatsu sees the tight, twisty Hungaroring as "a second Monaco" and a change to atone for what occurred at the principality at the end of May when the team endured a nightmare weekend.

On Saturday, drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen were disqualified from qualifying for a technical infringement as the new rear wings on the VF-24 had not been measured correctly.

Starting at the back of the grid, Magnussen was then involved in a heavy smash with Red Bull's Sergio Perez on the run up the hill out of Ste Devote on the opening lap that also collected Hulkenberg.

Haas is now in a different place since that virtual non-event, particularly following the addition of upgrades on the car at the British Grand Prix in which Hulkenberg finished sixth.

Looking ahead to the Budapest weekend, Komatsu said: “Budapest is a high-downforce circuit with short straights. It's basically Monaco-esque with the downforce so we’re bringing the Monaco level of downforce and combining that with the Silverstone update.

"I know in Monaco we were quick on the straights, but with the upgrades, of course, we’ve improved our aero downforce, so I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do in Hungary.

"It will be a very different challenge to Silverstone as qualifying is everything. It's very, very difficult to overtake around the Hungaroring, so you put more emphasis on qualifying.

"In Monaco, we couldn't come home with anything so I'd like to put that right. This is like a second Monaco for us. I’m looking forward to it, it’s a very different challenge, but we’re ready for it.”

Hulkenberg has highlighted the track as "a fun challenge", albeit with the focus on qualifying due to the lack of overtaking which he has stated is "notoriously difficult".

The German driver is buoyant, however, after scoring back-to-back sixth positions in the last two races, and particular after what he felt was "a good improvement to the car with the new update".

"I’m ready to put it to the test," said Hulkenberg. "We’re in a good spot at the moment and everyone in the team is highly motivated, so we need to capitalise on that for the final two races before summer.”