Nico Hulkenberg will revert to the old-specification Haas VF-23 for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, while Kevin Magnussen will continue to run the new-spec.
The team introduced an important update to their car at the Circuit of the Americas, which switched to a Red Bull-style downwash aero concept.
Team Principal Guenther Steiner explained the main reason behind the switch was due to a lack of potential from updates, with this b-spec version a precursor to their 2024 car.
After three races with the new package Steiner confirmed they will run both the old and the new at the request of Hulkenberg.
“The main drive behind this was Nico feels that for him the old spec suits him better, and Kevin is the opposite," said Steiner.
"We’ve opted to give them what they want, we have two races to go and nothing to lose, so we’ve tried to do what we can."
Haas is currently tenth in the Constructors' Championship, trailing Alfa Romeo by four points, but Steiner believes it's more important to focus on getting their concept right.
"We could discuss gathering data, but we’ve got enough data, it’s a decision based on what each driver likes more than anything else," he explained.
"It puts them in a comfortable position so that they’re as happy as they can be with the car they get.”
Viewed by others:
Hulkenberg: No driver is prepared for Las Vegas
Hulkenberg is excited to make his debut around the brand new Las Vegas circuit, admitting that he might break his long-standing tradition of not taking part in the track walk.
"We’ve been talking about this event all year, so I’m happy that it’s finally time to race in Vegas," said Hulkenberg.
"Another home race for the team and I’m keen to get a good result for us and our fans – it’s going to be tough, but you have to be ready to take a gamble in Sin City!”
“No driver will have had extensive preparation for this one, so practice is going to be important. I don’t normally do a track walk, so let’s see if I do one here, could be a unique way of seeing all the sights of the Vegas strip.”
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and claim your chance to win!
SUBSCRIBE & WINMost read
In this article
F1 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix RN365 News dossier
Join the conversation!