Guenther Steiner is under no allusions that Haas will face another difficult season in 2021, although the US outfit's team boss can't predict how challenging its campaign will be.
Haas' dismal 2020 season was dogged by a weak car powered by a down-on-power Ferrari engine that left the team a lowly P9 in the Constructors' standings with just 3 points to its name.
But progress will be hard to come by Haas in 2021, as teams are compelled to carry over to next year their basic 2020 chassis. However, aero development within the limits of F1's token system and an all-new Ferrari power unit should theoretically improve the team's performance level.
"I know it will be another difficult one," said Steiner. "It's just how difficult it is – and that I don't know yet.
"But there are a lot of factors which I have no influence on and are outside of my control, and I hope those factors – I know what we speak about here – I hope they get better, you know?
©Haas
"Obviously we need to do also work on our side, a lot of work. We will be pushing to do the best in the short time we have got.
"That's the only thing I can do in the moment, and hopefully somebody else adds something to the party as well."
Haas will work within its limited means to improve its fortunes, but Steiner steered clear of forecasting his team's margin of progress, especially as it will develop its contender from a low base.
- Read also: F1i Team Report Card for 2020: Haas F1 Team
"We are working hard on it," said the Italian. "It's difficult to judge as we started developing maybe three or four months ago.
"It's not that the other people developed a lot, it is just we did not have wide open development because we had to manage budgets and resources.
"We did very well when we had to manage resources and budgets, so I hope we can get back to those times.
"But next year for sure it will be difficult, because we are not developing from a car which is very competitive.
"The reality is we just find out when we go out there testing in Barcelona, and then in Australia when we do the first qualifying.
"We try to do our best, but I don't want to make any promises on how great it will be, because I don't think it will be that great.
"But as always, you try to do your best and you hope that you can make up some of what you lost before."
Next year, Haas will entrust its cars to two F1 rookies, Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin, and it's another factor that could shape the little team's 2021 campaign.
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