Hulkenberg reveals factor behind unusual Haas change

Nico Hulkenberg has explained his rationale behind the unusual step of running a different specification of car to team-mate Kevin Magnussen in the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

In the United States, Haas introduced a sizeable upgrade package it hoped would cure its tyre degradation issues and allow it to fight to climb up the Constructors'.

However, the team is yet to score a point with the package, and sits 10th in the standings, with Hulkenberg reverting to the pre-Austin spec in Las Vegas.

Magnussen will retain the upgraded VF-23 package, as German Hulkenberg offered a simple explanation for the unusual step.

Hulkenberg explains unusual Haas choice

"It just comes down to personal preference," Hulkenberg told media including RacingNews365.

"We’ve had three races with the new package and whilst there were maybe some small benefits, there were also some not-so-good aspects with it.

"It was not the step forward that we needed from a big update, and I think I just felt a little bit more comfortable and confident on the old package.

"With the two circuits that we have here now, it favours that slightly more, hence that call."

When asked how the team would handle a situation of himself favouring one package and Kevin Magnussen the other for 2024 development, Hulkenberg insisted deeper work needed to be done.

"It just means we have to reconsider, both of them aren’t good enough," he said of the packages.

"We need to do a better job. We need to find performance elsewhere and, just reconsider, and look harder and deeper."