Prior to 2024, Komatsu held the position Director of Engineering, having a solid understanding of the car which has transferred into a holistic view of the whole team. With his goal to improve communication across the team’s different sites, Komatsu’s approach seems to be working, as we now see Haas as a more well-rounded team.
Since the Austrian Grand Prix, Haas haas been consistently gaining points, and even achieved their best Grand Prix Finish on home soil at Austin's Circuit of the Americas. Their biggest points haul was in Austria, finishing with Hulkenburg in P6 and Magnussen in P8 – a total of 12 points which has given them a significant margin over Kick Sauber, currently pointless, who also use a Ferrari engine.
Steiner’s removal appears to have brought about a boom in development. The team did have a slump post Silverstone, after upgrades applied to the car but quickly managed to bring themsleves back up into the top ten more consistently. The upgrades to the VF-24 show hope for the 2025 season, Magnussen claims that the car is now faster - allegedly for the first time.
After licking the bottom of the barrel in terms of team standings since their debut in 2012, Haas currently sit in 6th place, and seem to be on the rise, showing their potential as a solid midtable team. Their current driver lineup with Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenburg may also have an impact, with both drivers boasting a wealth of experience.
Their driver lineup for 2025 has already been confirmed, with transfer from Alpine Esteban Ocon whose recent race in São Paulo ended with him in P2. Alongside him is promising rookie in Oliver Bearman who drove for Haas in the São Paulo Grand Prix, filling in for Magnussen, who was absent due to illness. Landing in the top three in the only free practice session of that weekend, Haas looks to be in good hands for next year.
Despite Haas being the smallest team in Formula 1 in terms of staff and facilities, they seem to have exceeded expectations for 2024, and have hope that this upwards trajectory gives them a fighting chance to be a solid midfield team in 2025.
