After the United States Grand Prix, the Haas F1 Team was forced to halt its private test at the Zandvoort circuit due to an accident that destroyed both the front and rear sections of the car. The incident occurred during a TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) session, cutting short what was meant to be a valuable evaluation day for the American squad.
The car, driven by Japanese reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa, reportedly lost grip while exiting Turn 8 and slammed into the barriers at Turn 9. Medical checks confirmed that the driver was unharmed, despite the severe damage to the VF-24 chassis used for the test.
This private session took place right after a mixed but productive weekend for Haas at the United States Grand Prix. Oliver Bearman impressed once again with a solid ninth-place finish, scoring crucial points for the team. However, his race was not without controversy, as the British rookie became involved in a collision with Yuki Tsunoda that sparked debate in the paddock.
Esteban Ocon, on the other hand, experienced a far tougher weekend in Austin, ending the race down in fifteenth position. The Texas round had been an important stage for Haas as the team continued to assess recent upgrades focused on the floor, sidepods, and rear aerodynamic package.
Despite the setback in Zandvoort, Haas confirmed that Ryo Hirakawa will still take part in the first free practice session (FP1) at the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix, where he will replace Bearman in the cockpit. The team emphasized that this program remains an important part of their development plan for the rest of the season.
The goal for Haas remains clear: to maximize the performance of its latest technical upgrades and secure the best possible position in the Constructors’ Championship as the season nears its conclusion.
Haas focusing on upgrades despite setback
Even with the crash disrupting the Zandvoort session, the team continues to gather vital data on its recent improvements. The upgrades, which have already shown potential in race conditions, aim to enhance overall balance and improve performance on both medium and high-downforce tracks. Haas believes that refining these areas could help close the gap to the midfield competitors such as RB and Williams.
As the season approaches its final rounds, every opportunity for development becomes critical. Haas’s technical staff are confident that the team can still extract meaningful progress from the data gathered before the crash, ensuring that the test serves its purpose despite the premature end.
Looking ahead to Mexico
The upcoming race in Mexico City will serve as another crucial challenge for Haas. The high altitude of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit affects both aerodynamics and power unit performance, demanding precise car setup and cooling management. With Ryo Hirakawa set to participate in FP1, the team expects to gather additional data that will contribute to the car’s optimization for the remainder of the 2025 F1 season.
Ryo Hirakawa estuvo girando en Zandvoort sumando minutos en un Haas, sufrió un fuerte despiste. pic.twitter.com/NhlazhgSYS
— F1 info ARG (@F1_info_arg) October 22, 2025
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