The data is interesting: while Ferrari has long halted development on the SF-25, it is worth highlighting that Haas, a customer team of the Scuderia, has brought technical updates to the VF-25 in Austin.
Ayao Komatsu hopes that this latest package of upgrades introduced for the United States Grand Prix will help the team secure points and make significant progress in the Constructors’ Championship.
Haas is determined to move up from ninth place in the team standings, targeting Sauber, which currently sits in eighth with 55 points and a nine-point lead over the Americans.
Ayao Komatsu, in addition to unveiling a new livery, mentions a new floor, bodywork modifications, and there are also updates to the rear pods. The technical staff led by Andrea De Zordo has slightly eased development on the 2026 car to focus on improving the performance of the current Haas by enhancing the quality and stability of airflow.
“If we look at the Singapore qualifying – explains Ayao – Ollie was in ninth position, just four hundredths behind Isack Hadjar in eighth. So, if we imagine the upgrade can gain us even half a tenth, it would mean moving up one position in qualifying, and this could change the race. Margins are so fine that positions in the midfield can shift. In Marina Bay, we qualified just two tenths behind the fastest Ferrari. I think that’s something we can be proud of.”
During the only free practice session in Austin, Haas will compare the old and new aerodynamic packages before deciding which configuration to use for the Sprint Qualifying.
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