Nico Hulkenberg says Haas knows what it has to do to solve its car's complex tyre degradation issues, but unfortunately a solution "doesn't just lay on the street".
Haas' VF-23 has demonstrated impressive speed on Saturdays, with Nico Hulkenberg qualifying among the top-ten in four of the last six races.
However, it's been a different story for the US outfit on Sundays with tyre degradation systematically undermining both Hulkenberg and teammate Kevin Magnussen's efforts.
Haas' engineers have been on their car's case for months, but elaborating a solution has turned into along haul process according to Hulkenberg.
"I think we understand the cause and what happens and why it happens," stated the Hulk last weekend in Spa where he finished 18th, while Magnussen complted his race 15th.
"But fixing it and bringing loads of performance, it doesn't just lay on the street, it's a bit more complex.
"I think we can still improve the situation this year. To what extent, that's TBC, it's down to us, and we have to prove it. But yeah, it's a longer-term thing."
Hulkenberg aslo noted that Spa's fast corners had "exposed" Haas' weakness. The German and his team now welcome F1's summer break.
"Yeah, we need it," he said. "But what we really needed is some upgrades, some real performance, to help ourselves. That's what we need.
"Obviously, this track [Spa] again exposes the weaknesses of our car very much. That's why we’ve not been competitive on any session on any lap really, I feel. So, a lot of work to do."
©Haas
Hulkenberg's Belgian Grand Prix weekend was one to "write off" for the Haas charger who qualified last on Friday due to a timing blunder by his team on his final run in Q1, while he finished Saturday's Sprint a lowly 17th.
"It's been a pretty grim weekend for us," he admitted. "So, [we will] write it off, reset, regroup and come back after the summer break, hopefully a bit stronger.
"I've got a fresh engine now. So let's see how far that takes us."
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