Haas staff principal Ayao Komatsu says the factors the staff has already scored at the USA Grand Prix are large in its battle for sixth place within the constructors’ championship.
Kevin Magnussen completed seventh and Nico Hulkenberg eighth in Saturday’s Dash race to present Haas three factors and transfer it degree on factors with RB within the standings. Haas is ranked forward of RB in sixth place as a result of its increased finishes in grands prix to date this season – a pair of sixth locations – and Komatsu says it was a particularly satisfying end result even earlier than at this time’s principal occasion.
“Truthfully, scoring P7 and P8 within the Dash is superb,” Komatsu advised SiriusXM. “We’re the fifth quickest automobile and should you take a look at our tempo on the finish of that Dash in opposition to [Sergio] Perez, he wasn’t faster. That was actually satisfying, I feel we managed it very nicely, in order that reveals that our race tempo is sweet.
“Qualifying to be sincere, we had been all a bit deflated and a little bit bit dissatisfied as a result of once more Nico ought to have been in Q3, however he locked up twice into Flip 1. And it wasn’t a small mistake, it’s 4 tenths and 5 tenths. Then once you take a look at his Sector 3 he’s once more one of many quickest, so the potential is there, and with Nico’s facet we didn’t maximize it. In order that’s very irritating to be out in Q2.
“Kevin, I feel we’ve got to present him credit score. He tailored to the brand new bundle very nicely. He had the previous bundle till the Dash, so between the Dash and qualifying we upgraded his automobile as a result of Nico’s knowledge was very constructive. Kevin mentioned with the brand new bundle the automobile is certainly faster, however nonetheless you’ve bought to adapt to it, and he’s executed it very, very nicely.
“Moving into Q3 was good, and in Q3 he was already three tenths up however then we bought the yellow flag from [George] Russell so he couldn’t higher his lap time. But it surely was a great effort. And I’m actually trying ahead to the race as a result of I feel we’ve got a great race automobile.”
Komatsu says the result’s much more vital as a result of Haas was specializing in its efficiency for Sunday’s grand prix fairly than the shorter race.
“It’s large, completely large. Additionally at first of the season, or to be sincere simply coming right here for a Dash weekend, we actually centered on the race as a result of the Dash is simply the highest eight that scores factors, so it’s actually troublesome to attain factors. So to truly have each vehicles within the prime eight – P7 and P8 – is testomony to everybody’s effort.
“It’s actually satisfying. Only a bit disappointing that we couldn’t again it up in qualifying, however I assume it’s good to be a bit dissatisfied with P9 and P12, and we are able to positively go for factors with each vehicles.”
