Pre-season testing forward of the 2023 System 1 season is now full, and all ten groups are pouring by mountains of information accrued over three days at Bahrain Worldwide Circuit. Whereas lap occasions are to be taken with a grain of salt, as groups are utilizing completely different gas hundreds, tyre compounds, and working completely different packages, reliability is maybe the largest lesson groups can be taught throughout testing.
Haas driver Kevin Magnussen supplied a tremendous indicator of the place their VF-23 was on the conclusion of testing, in an announcement shared with the media together with SB Nation. “It’s been a busy three days and that’s a really optimistic factor. At present we bought loads of laps in, and I used to be within the automobile from the start to the top – I solely got here out to go to the bathroom!”
It was a strong three days of labor for Magnussen, Nico Hülkenberg, and your entire Haas staff. They accomplished 414 laps over the three days in Bahrain, fourth-most among the many ten groups:
For Hülkenberg, it was a “good” three days that supplied the staff with a ton of details about the VF-23, data that’s essential for each the engineers, and the drivers. “All in all, it’s been good. I’ve bought mileage within the automobile and I believe I bought what I used to be personally in search of, to get off on foot with the automobile, and discover a good connection and concord,” mentioned Hülkenberg after testing. “I really feel comfy that the automobile does what I say and never the opposite approach round. We’ve collected large quantities of information that the staff will undergo and analyze over the following few days, and it’s all data that’s essential for a driver as nicely.”
As for the place Haas would possibly stack up when the lap occasions depend for actual, that’s nonetheless an open query. The sensation round Haas is that the staff might push to the highest of the midfield this season. Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer referred to as the pairing of Magnussen and Hülkenberg the “finest ever lineup for Haas,” and a few shops have listed Haas among the many winners of pre-season testing.
Workforce Principal Guenther Steiner retains his playing cards near his chest, however did admit there was progress from final 12 months. “Generally, the check went very easily with only a few points in comparison with years earlier than. The entire staff got here right here very nicely ready – we did our homework – so once we arrived, we have been able to go, and you possibly can see that,” mentioned Steiner on Saturday. “It was good progress from final 12 months so now we have to see the place we stack-up. It’s tough to say nonetheless however we’re within the midfield, let’s see if we’re on the high or the top of the midfield however we’re now prepared for the race subsequent weekend.”
