Nico Hulkenberg voices concerns over Haas' upgrades as Formula 1 season unfolds

The VF-23 has grappled with persistent tire degradation issues, severely limiting point-scoring opportunities for Hulkenberg and his teammate Kevin Magnussen, with just one points finish since the Miami Grand Prix. Hulkenberg, however, managed to secure points during the Austria Sprint race.

The team pinned its hopes on a substantial upgrade package unveiled at their home race in the United States. Unfortunately, limited data collection during another Sprint weekend rendered the package ineffective during the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Hulkenberg showed promise of point-scoring potential with a strong start in Mexico. Still, he ultimately fell back in the race, while Kevin Magnussen suffered a heart-wrenching suspension failure, causing Haas to plummet to the bottom of the Constructors' standings after a substantial point haul for AlphaTauri.

"Inevitable. We're reaping the consequences of a dearth of upgrades and improved performance," Hulkenberg candidly conveyed to the media. He also stressed the urgency for a wake-up call within the team, underlining that, at the current pace, competing effectively in Formula 1 is unfeasible.

Hulkenberg went a step further and acknowledged that Haas's old-spec car might have been a more viable option for the Mexico City circuit, which is renowned for its abundance of low-speed corners.

"If the old spec had any redeeming features, it was reasonably competitive in low-speed scenarios, and this track predominantly features low-speed sections," he commented. However, Hulkenberg conceded that the team is committed to the path they've chosen for the future.

Guenther Steiner, Haas team principal, lavished praise on Hulkenberg during his 200th Grand Prix start for coming perilously close to clinching a valuable point. "Nico was well-positioned to secure points, but due to a red flag, which was our own doing, we couldn't preserve the tires in the final stint," Steiner lamented. 

He emphasized the team's ongoing struggle with tire management, asserting that fighting nearly the entire race distance was insufficient. Despite the setbacks, Steiner commended the collective team effort and lauded Hulkenberg's impressive performance.

Steiner also provided insight into the cause of Magnussen's suspension failure, attributing it to a heat-related issue that ultimately led to the suspension's untimely demise.

As the Formula 1 season unfolds, the next event on the horizon is a Sprint Race scheduled for the weekend of 3-5 November—the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. This thrilling race will unfold over 71 laps on the 4.309-kilometre Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace circuit in Brazil, offering another opportunity for teams to showcase their prowess in the high-stakes world of Formula 1.

 

Read More: Red Bull's Max Verstappen wins the Mexico City Grand Prix (planetsport.com)