Nico Hulkenberg has criticized Haas for its sparse approach to development, insisting the US outfit “can’t compete in F1” by restricting its upgrades.
Despite a chronic tyre degradation issue that has undermined its car all year in race trim, Haas opted not to update its VF-23 on a regular basis throughout the season, contrary to its rivals.
Instead, the team only introduced a heavily transformed package in the back half of the season, in Austin, in a bid not only to improve the performance of its current car but especially to establish a solid baseline for next season's contender.
But the end result of such a plan is a team that has gone nowhere fast this year, while the benefits of the changes introduced in Texas have yet to be determined.
Haas was challenged in Austin to gain a good understanding of its new package due to the compressed schedule of the US Grand Prix’s sprint weekend.
In Mexico, the team had more time on its hand to gauge its potential improvements – or lack of. But the track’s altitude, which typically deprives cars of downforce, left Haas once again with little clarity.
Unfortunately, Kevin Magnussen’s race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez ended on lap 31 with a heavy crash due to a heat-related suspension failure linked to overheated brakes while he was running 16th.
As for Hulkenberg, the German driver looked like he was headed for a top-ten finish to celebrate his 200th Grand Prix until his pace subsided in the closing laps of the race and he was overhauled by three cars.
©Haas
"It's inevitable,” a frustrated Hulkenberg commented after the race. “We're paying a price for not bringing upgrades, for not finding performance.
"Hopefully it is a wake-up call to everybody in the factory because at this rate, you just can't compete in F1."
Hulkenberg also reckoned that Haas’ previous-spec car would have perhaps been better suited to Mexico City’s layout.
"If the old spec had any real good characteristics, it was more or less competitive in the low speed, and this track is obviously low-speed dominated," he added.
"I don't know, I have a feeling that maybe the old-spec would have been better here, but obviously it is a one-way street for us with the future."
©Haas
Despite the Hulk missing out on points, Haas team boss Guenther Steiner commended his driver for a job well done.
"Nico was in a good position to get points, but then with the red flag, which we caused ourselves, we couldn’t keep the tyres [alive] in the last stint," said the Italian.
"Our car can’t keep life in the tyres as other cars can, we could fight for almost the whole distance, but almost isn’t good enough.
"Otherwise, it seems like the whole team performed well and Nico drove fantastically to try and get something."
Haas’ data regarding its upgrade has been a mixed bag, but Steiner admits that he was expecting more from the changes.
“I still haven’t come to a full conclusion but the expectations were a bit higher, although it’s giving us the right direction for next year.”
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