The American Formula 1 team Haas has confirmed that development of the VF-25 is still ongoing, with plans to introduce a final set of upgrades at the home Grand Prix in Austin. These updates are expected to include modifications to the floor of the car, aiming to maximize points and prize money in the current standings. For mid-field teams, every fraction of a second and every single point can make a significant difference in a tightly contested championship.
In recent years, the battle among mid-field teams has been fiercely competitive, but the intensity has reached new heights this season. Currently, only 35 points separate fifth-placed Williams from ninth-placed Haas. While this may appear to be a reasonable gap, in the context of the mid-field, it is a margin small enough that a single strong performance or small technical improvement can dramatically alter the standings.
Consistency is key in a championship, but peak performances still carry substantial weight. Examples from this season include Nico Hulkenberg’s podium finish at Silverstone, which contributed 15 valuable points to the Alfa Romeo Sauber team, and Aston Martin’s double top-10 finish in Hungary, where a fifth and seventh place added critical points to the British team’s tally.
With cost control and one of the most significant technical regulation changes in Formula 1 history approaching, many teams are already looking toward 2026. The aim is to design a lighter and more efficient car, but achieving that goal will be far from simple. Some teams, such as Williams, drastically reduced their investment in their 2025 projects before the season began, focusing almost entirely on 2026. Other teams have adopted a more balanced approach, simultaneously pursuing maximum results in the current championship while maintaining development work for the future.
Haas falls into this latter category. As confirmed at the Hungarian Grand Prix, the American team has not entirely halted development of the 2025 VF-25. In fact, the plan is to introduce a final upgrade package at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, leaving six races remaining in the season and providing an opportunity to gain crucial points in the standings.
Haas’ 2025 campaign has been unique. Entering the season, the team had high expectations, aiming to establish itself firmly among mid-field contenders with an ambitious car designed to overcome limitations seen in the VF-24, such as insufficient pure aerodynamic downforce.
However, challenges quickly became apparent in Australia, where the car exhibited significant bouncing in high-speed corners due to aerodynamic issues. Haas responded by introducing a floor update for the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, laying the groundwork for a more stable platform.
Imola became a critical juncture for the VF-25. The upgrades introduced in Italy were intended not only to resolve ongoing issues from earlier races but also to help the engineering team determine whether continued development was justified. Positive results from Imola onward paved the way for the Silverstone package, which aimed not only to correct previous weaknesses but also to enhance the car’s overall performance.
This ongoing development illustrates that Haas’ engineering push has not diminished. The evolution of the VF-25 began relatively recently, and further improvements remain in the pipeline. Jonathan Neal, Deputy Chief Engineer at Haas, explained: “We are still working on bringing another package of updates. If we can produce something worthwhile that justifies the expense, we will introduce it during the remainder of the season. We are currently finalizing these developments.”
The goal is to have the upgrade package ready for Austin, contingent on data confirming that the designs will deliver real-world performance gains. “Traditionally, we try to bring a package to Austin since it is toward the end of the season. It fits within our development cycles. We introduced updates at Silverstone [Race 12], and Austin [Race 19] is seven races later. This aligns with our schedule for floor development this year,” Neal added.
Any planned upgrades must demonstrate expected benefits in CFD simulations and wind tunnel testing. In the era of the budget cap, investing in components that do not deliver measurable advantages is not feasible. For instance, Haas opted not to adopt Ferrari’s new rear suspension introduced in Belgium due to time and cost constraints.
Neal emphasized the importance of budgeting and planning: “Within the budget cap, cost is a crucial factor. All our current work must account for expense. Regarding wind tunnel time, everything is pre-engineered and scheduled in advance.” The Austin update is also timed to coincide with the summer break, allowing the team sufficient time to complete the work.
“Not every component designed reaches the track because advantages seen in the wind tunnel may not translate into meaningful improvements that justify the expense. Even a tenth of a second can mean five positions on the grid. This year, it is more complicated because even a tenth of a second can make a crucial difference in mid-field battles. For us, performing well this year is more important than speculating on next season, which will be unpredictable for many reasons. Maximizing results in the current season remains our priority.”
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