Haas becomes the first F1 team to showcase its 2022 livery along with the renders of the new era machinery.
The team has been working on the 2022 car for all of the 2021 F1 season, having used the same chassis last year as they used in 2020. As a result, Haas scored nothing to end up last in the standings, with two rookies Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin.
They both got a year to get used to the new world and be better prepared for their second season in the sport which would be far more competitive than their first season. They will be looking to show their competitive side if the car is in the midfield.
Last year, Haas gave no intimation of their livery reveal but this year, they announced the date one day in advance to become the first F1 team to do so. It is not the finished 2022 car, though, which they are likely to showcase it on the first day of the Barcelona test.
But they have shown a concept and most importantly the livery of their new VF-22. The ‘Russian’ flag colours is retained for another year despite speculations of having more ‘blue’ incorporated onto the livery along with the white and bit of red.
As for the look of the 2022 era cars, the rear wing is a bit more complete than the renders shown by F1 while the front wing is not so different. The wheel covers can be seen on the new 18-inches tyres too which will be a norm from this year onward.
“It’s that time of year where you’re naturally optimistic that the hard work and effort of everyone will translate to a competitive entry on track,” said Gene Haas. We made the decision back in 2020 to really channel time and resources into the VF-22, foregoing anything track-related for 2021 – which wasn’t easy to watch. Hopefully that decision bears fruit and we return to challenging for points and taking something from the weekends.”
At the same time, Guenther Steiner stated: “It’s exciting to be at the point where we know the VF-22 will be on-track shortly. We all know what the team is capable of, we’ve proved that in the past, and with this new car – born out of a completely new set of regulations and with our new design team in place, I’m confident we can showcase once again that we can compete on weekends.
“It’s been a tremendous effort by everyone involved and now comes the fun part of getting the new car to the circuit and dialing in all the elements. Last season was a long one but I’m confident that 2022 will see us back in the mix with the VF-22.”
And finally, technical director Simone Resta added: “This is probably the most complex project the Uralkali Haas F1 Team has dealt with to-date for many reasons. It’s a completely new set of regulations and this season we’ve brought in a new team to manage the creation of the VF-22.
“Not everyone is new but a good chunk of people have joined with a revised structure now in place. I consider this as a great success in the process. We’re still early in the project and going through a transitional season of working together on a car for a full year, but if we look back where we started, this team is already a success.”
Other launches to come:
Red Bull – February 9
Aston Martin – February 10
McLaren – February 11
AlphaTauri – February 14
Ferrari – February 17
Mercedes – February 18
Alpine – February 21
Alfa Romeo – February 27