With the curtain now closed on its maiden F1 season, Haas will start reviewing its year but Romain Grosjean has already labeled 2016 as "a wonderful season".
Gene Haas' troops enjoyed a fairytale debut with points scored, pretty much against all odds, in three of the first four races thanks to the French driver's efforts.
It all tightened up for Haas however as the rookie team raced deeper into the season, but the issues and obstacles thrown its way were always going to be part of the learning curve.
Haas ended its run with both Grosjean and Gutierrez finishing just outside of the points in Abu Dhabi, and the team achieving eighth in the Constructors' standings.
"We've had a wonderful season and surprised everyone, ourselves included, with some highs and some lows," Grosjean said.
"We didn't score points [in Abu Dhabi] but if you take out the top-six cars of Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari, we're only the third team behind, which is not that bad."
Looking ahead to 2017 and its massive regulation overhaul facing all teams, Grosjean believes progress can be made in all departments but perhaps especially on the tyre management front.
"There are a lot of things we can improve through the winter, mainly about the tyres. Clearly there were some laps where my pace was amazing and the car felt really good when the tyres were working.
“Then a few laps later things are going out of sync. It’s clear where we have to work. All the other teams are close to their limits where we have so much that we can improve on for next season.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Driver ratings
REPORT: Hamilton wins, as Rosberg takes title in Abu Dhabi
Jenson Button's F1 career: 17 seasons, 15 wins
Silbermann says ... Parting gifts galore
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Aston Martin performance director Tom McCullough has shed some light on why the team’s former…
The FIA has issued a pivotal Technical Directive to F1 teams ahead of this weekend’s…
The abrupt removal last week of FIA race director Niels Wittich with just three races…
Oscar Piastri has confirmed that McLaren’s team orders—dubbed the "Papaya Rules"—have been largely relaxed, giving…
The forever young Jacques Laffite turns 81 today, but the years haven't aged this pure…
The neon lights of Las Vegas are set to illuminate the Formula 1 world once…