Haas targets top-10 return in Canada as team unleashes VF-26 upgrade
Originally published by F1i
Read also:
Haas is set to roll out a heavily revised VF-26 in Montreal this week, and team boss Ayao Komatsu believes the fresh upgrade package possesses the raw potential to launch the team squarely back into point-scoring contention.
After a bruising, difficult weekend in Miami that saw the American outfit bring only a minor, tweaked diffuser to Florida, the squad is ready for a massive counter-offensive at the Canadian Grand Prix.
But there is a complication.
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve hosts another Sprint weekend, meaning teams will get just one practice session before competitive running begins – leaving almost no margin for error if the new parts fail to click immediately.
Komatsu made it clear the team sees Montreal as more than just another race weekend. It is a pressure test of both development and execution.
“As a team, we always look forward to the Canadian Grand Prix. It's a great city to go to and a very unique circuit with lots of rich history. This year we're going slightly earlier than usual, so I'm sure the weather is going to play a part,” commented the Japanese engineer.
©Haas
The Haas boss then revealed the team’s biggest weapon for Montréal.
“For us, we're looking forward to the weekend as we have an upgrade package coming. As it's a Sprint weekend, we'll only have FP1 to evaluate it, understand it and get the best out it.”
That compressed schedule transforms Friday into one of the most important sessions of Haas’ season so far. There will be little time for experimentation and even less time to recover from mistakes.
“It's quite a lot to do, but that's what a lot of other teams did in Miami, so we're really up for the challenge. We're all looking forward to having this package to fight in the top ten,” Komatsu added.
Drivers expecting midfield scrap
The belief inside the garage appears genuine.
Oliver Bearman returns to Montréal determined to improve on last year’s P11 finish and expects Haas to be firmly in the midfield battle if the package performs as hoped.
“Last year in Montreal I thought there was more we could've achieved, so I'm definitely looking to improve on that P11,” said the Briton.
“We're bringing our next upgrade to Canada, but of course with it being a Sprint weekend it's going to be a hard task to get it into the perfect window right away, however I have no doubts that we should be in that midfield pack fighting for points in both races.”
©Haas
The 21-year-old also hinted that Montréal’s unpredictable conditions could add another layer of chaos.
“I love the city of Montreal, the fans, the circuit...and even the weather! We're coming three weeks earlier this year than last, so I wonder if that will spice things up,” he added.
Meanwhile, teammate Esteban Ocon said Haas has spent the break after Miami focusing heavily on preparation after a difficult outing in Florida.
“It's been nice to have a couple of weeks after Miami to regroup and prepare ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix. We've been hard at work training and in the simulator with the team, so I'm looking forward to getting back in the car,” the Frenchman explained.
“Coming back to Montreal is always special and it has a bit of a home race feeling given it's in North America and, of course, because French is the local language.
“The vibe in the city is always electric, the Canadian fans are always great, and the track is exciting to drive.”
Read also:
Ocon also admitted Miami exposed weaknesses Haas urgently needed to address.
“Miami was a tough race for us, but it provided quite a few pointers on where we need to improve, so we've been closely looking at that. We've also got an upgrade coming to the car this weekend and hopefully we'll get that working straight away as it's another Sprint weekend,” he said.
Komatsu’s target is now clear.
“We're aiming to get the best out of the car and push forward in what's already proving to be a close, competitive season," the Haas chief concluded.
And in a midfield fight where tenths can decide everything, Montréal may reveal very quickly whether Haas’ latest gamble can truly drag the team back into Formula 1’s top-10 conversation.