Nico Hulkenberg has spotted light at the end of the tunnel for Haas despite a "nasty" Belgian Grand Prix. 2023 has been a contrasting season for Haas, with the VF-23 proving quick over one lap in Qualifying, but suffering from a lack of race pace which is making it difficult for Hulkenberg and teammate Kevin Magnussen to fight for points in races. With the exception of Hulkenberg's sixth in the Wet Austria Sprint, Haas has not scored a point since Magnussen's 10th in Miami, with Hulkenberg enduring a troubled Belgian Grand Prix weekend. He started the Sprint last after just missing the flag in Qualifying while he took a pit-lane start on Sunday for new components, coming home 18th and last. Despite this, Hulkenberg feels the team has a greater understanding of what its problems are and how to solve them in the second half of the season.
Hulkenberg's hope
"We understand the cause, what happens and why it happens, but fixing it and bringing loads of performance, it doesn't just lay on the street," Hulkenberg told media including RacingNews365. "It's a bit more complex. We can still improve the situation this year, but to what extent, that's TBC. It's down to us and we have to prove it. "What we really need are some upgrades, some real performance to help. Obviously, this track exposes the weaknesses of our car very much. "It is why we've not been competitive in any session, on any lap. There is a lot of work to do. "Let say that this weekend is over and done with is good, it's been a pretty grim weekend. "We will write it off, reset, regroup and come back after the summer break with hopefully stronger ideas." Hulkenberg also touched on the first lap incidents at Eau Rouge, when the slow Oscar Piastri held up the pack behind on the climb up the hill. "There was a massive pile-up at the bottom of Eau Rouge, and everyone had to lift to make way for each other and not crash. "I just came [from the pit-lane] and it was pretty funny. "It was very gusty [with the wind] I had a few moments where I had grip, had grip and suddenly you're gone and are history. "It's been tricky and nasty at times."
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