With the latest aerodynamic innovations, the VF-24 scored points in 3 consecutive races, closing the gap in the championship to the Racing Bulls.
September was a satisfying month for Haas. The Italian-American team secured two tenth-place finishes at Monza and Baku with Magnussen and Bearman respectively, followed by two points from Hulkenberg in Singapore, reducing their deficit to Racing Bulls in the Constructors’ Championship to just three points. The credit also goes to the updates introduced after the summer break, showcasing a team that is much more consistent in development compared to past seasons.
The summer updates
Haas returned from the break at Zandvoort with a new front wing. Several changes were made, starting with the main profile, which dips lower with a wider portion, coming closer to the ground and generating more local aerodynamic downforce. The nose tip also extends down to the lower profile, closing the gap between the first and second elements. This is a significant change that affects both the airflow over the top of the car and, more importantly, the flow beneath it, with aerodynamic repercussions on the floor.
Compared to the early season version, there is also a different shape of the uppermost profile, indicating a different distribution of airflow between the inner corridor of the wheels and the outer part. The four vortex generators on the last two flaps have also disappeared, signaling a different aerodynamic approach to reduce turbulence from the front wheels and its impact on the floor.
Redesigning the front wing always has a major impact on the car, as it is the most forward element and thus the first to interact with the air, setting the flow towards the floor and the rest of the car. The Zandvoort wing suggests that more updates are coming soon, adapting the floor to the new aerodynamic structure created by the front wing. Meanwhile, other elements have already been adjusted, particularly the deflectors and the fairings on the front suspension arms.
Points in September
The revamped front wing contributed to the four points collected in the last three races, but it wasn’t the only factor. At Monza and Baku, Haas also capitalized on the better baseline competitiveness of the VF-24 in low-downforce configuration compared to high downforce, enhanced by precise development choices. In Italy, the team used the new low-downforce package that debuted in Belgium, which Haas did not have in 2023 due to limited development resources.
Between Baku and Singapore, other strengths of the project also emerged, such as the effectiveness of the Ferrari suspension in absorbing the bumps of street circuits at low speeds, as well as the good torque delivery of the Ferrari power unit. A remaining limitation of the VF-24 is its competitiveness in high-downforce configuration, which makes the result of the last race even more impressive. Hulkenberg’s 6th place in qualifying and 9th place finish in Singapore highlight significant progress compared to Monaco last May, when Haas cars were out of the points. September has thus painted a picture of a car and a team increasingly well-equipped, with sixth place in the championship looking like an achievable goal.
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