Haas: better organised but struggling for points

40

Haas F1 Team founder Gene Haas believes the US squad is now a well-oiled organisation when it comes to its overall running and logistics, but must still evolve to become a consistent top 10 contender.

Haas' points-scoring debut in Australia and Bahrain was nothing short of impressive and was much more than what its founder was expecting.

Since, the rookie squad's results have been more in line was an F1's team's apprenticeship at the pinnacle of motor sport, but its founder also believes that Haas has evolved into a more mature outfit.

"From what I see, where we were in Melbourne with the team, we were scrambling every time we had a problem and I don't see that anymore at all," Gene Haas told Autosport.

"The team arrives here, they set everything up, the number of problems we have with the car has dropped dramatically. We've had less technical issues, plus engine issues.

"We don't really scramble much anymore. Now we're here actually racing, putting the cars together and concentrating more on what our strategy is during the race."

While the team has gathered a wealth of knowledge and experience since Australia, Haas is now also struggling to run consistently in the top 10.

"I think we were very lucky in the first few races in terms of the points we scored," Haas acknowledged.

"Now it seems that even though we're better organised it's harder to score points."

That level of performance may not evolve much for the remainder of the season as Haas now devotes most of its resources to its 2017 challenger.

"We did add a few little appendages on the front wings and we've changed the rear canards a little bit here and there, but I think we're pretty much done with the '16 car.

"We're trying to get onto the '17 car because of all the changes we need to do. I think we'll be better next year than we were this year. We'll keep building on what we have."

Exclusive F1i interview with Carlos Sainz

Felipe Nasr writes exclusively for F1i about Hungary, Germany and the summer break

Exclusive Marcus Ericsson Q&A

Explaining the F1 summer break

Chris Amon: A legend's career in pictures

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.