Nico Hulkenberg says Haas will run a back-to-back test of their updates in F1 Emilia Romagna GP, as they bring the final loop of its China upgrade.
Having brought an update in China which focused on floor fences, mirrors, cooling outlets and rear brake duct inlets, Haas couldn’t properly asses those both there and in the following weekend in Miami, considering both were sprint F1 weekends.
Even though they could see better results and points in their kitty, a proper running is needed to be certain that the updates are working as expected and that they can pursue with further updates for the long season ahead.
They will get the chance to do so in this weekend’s F1 Emilia Romagna GP in Imola, where they will bring the final loop of its China updates. “All in all, it would have been amazing to score points in Miami but it was still a very positive weekend for us,” said Hulkenberg.
“Obviously, we took away more learning and in Imola, we will have more upgrades and kind of close the loop on the first package, very encouraging. It is pointed at Imola but it is not just for there but everywhere. It should just make the car better and faster.
“It is always impossible to tell [if the updates are working] because it doesn’t change the world, every track feels different anyways, different tyres, different downforce levels, so can’t say,” summed up Hulkenberg, who revealed about the plans for Imola.
The weekend will see Haas reserve and F2 racer Oliver Bearman’s first chance with the American F1 team in 2024. The Brit will run the old package in FP1 replacing Kevin Magnussen – who is on the brink of a race ban – while Hulkenberg will have the new one.
The back-to-back comparison test will help Haas asses if the direction they have taken is a better one or not. “The plan is to do it in Imola with Ollie Bearman in FP1, so he will run the old car package and I’ll run the new and then we will have proper comparison,” he said.
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