Haas has presented the first computer images of the new race car for the 2024 season. Not only was the new livery showcased, but also the first interesting technical details.
Haas is undergoing a transformation. After Günther Steiner‘s departure, Japanese Ayao Komatsu now leads the team from North Carolina. Technical director Simone Resta has also left, returning to Ferrari. Former chief designer Andrea de Zordo has moved up a level in his place. The development team’s second row has also been restructured.
After finishing last in the team standings in the previous season, Haas aims to swiftly rise from the bottom. The VF-24, driven by Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen in the new year, is expected to shed the shortcomings of its predecessor and take a step forward. On Friday (2.2.), fans got a first look at the new US racer.
Haas Racer Reveals Plenty of Carbon
Visually, not much has changed. Large unpainted carbon surfaces are once again noticeable, where engineers aimed to save weight by avoiding paint. The tops of the front section and side pods are now entirely black, a departure from the slightly more white appearance last year. The Ferrari accents, especially on the front and rear wings, remain.
Sponsorship-wise, not much has changed either. Haas owner prominently displays logos of his CNC milling machine company on the side pods and rear wing. Main sponsor Moneygram appears on the top of the engine cover and front wing. Additionally, several smaller advertising partners have found their spots on the nose and around the cockpit.
In previous years, Haas didn’t always reveal the true picture at first glance. This time, it’s said to be different. Allegedly, the presented computer model is quite close to reality, providing early insights into the technology and aerodynamics.
More Extreme Sidepods
The sidepods immediately catch the eye. After switching to the large Austin package, Haas continues with the Downwash concept in 2024, where air is guided down to the diffuser over the ramp-shaped covering. Large channels, as seen in other competitors’ previous models, are not apparent.
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The focus shifts to the large air inlets, now less bulging and more slot-shaped. Similar to Red Bull’s approach last year, the “lower lip” of the narrower opening extends significantly forward. This new design allows for a stronger undercut, facilitated by the relocation of the side crash structure.
To guide the air undisturbed around the car, coolers inside had to be relocated, as confirmed by Ayao Komatsu. “In Austin, you already got a glimpse of our new car for 2024. At that time, due to some physical limits, we couldn’t implement the complete concept you see now on the VF-24.”
New Airbox Design
The airbox inlet has undergone a significant facelift as well. In 2024, it is no longer triangular but round-shaped externally, with internal splittings into several channels. This change is likely due to the enhanced safety regulations for the roll hoop. It is highly probable that the layout of the radiators and air supply to the power unit has also changed.
In recent years, Haas and engine supplier Ferrari have followed similar paths in the design of the airbox opening. The fact that the VF-24 now features a completely different solution than last year suggests that Ferrari, with the SF-24, has also worked in this direction.
From Ferrari, Haas receives not only the engine, gearbox, and hydraulics but also the suspension system. At first glance, not much has changed here. The old configuration with front pushrod dampers and a rear pullrod system, common to most other cars, remains.
How Realistic are the Images?
After Red Bull and McLaren found success last year with the reversed arrangement, speculation arose that Ferrari and Haas might also switch in that direction. However, if the images are to be believed, this doesn’t seem to be the case. Rumors suggest, though, that Ferrari has made significant changes to the suspension internals, which could benefit Haas.
Other changes from the Haas predecessor include the nose, now less flat at the top and more rounded. The mirrors have been revised, both in terms of attachment and caps. It’s also noticeable that fewer cooling fins have been carved into the bodywork. It remains to be seen whether this is due to the lack of precision in the 3D model or reflects reality.
New Team Boss Ayao Komatsu tries to manage expectations: “When we start in Bahrain, we will probably still be in the rear part of the field, if not even at the very bottom. The reason our base won’t be good enough at the start of the season is not the quality of the staff but the delayed start and a two-month interruption in development to build the Austin upgrade. We had to divert resources and lost time.”
Early Upgrades on the Haas VF-24
However, Komatsu also provides reasons for optimism: “The team is currently making good progress in the wind tunnel, which is positive. It’s heading in the right direction. The team is recovering well, but we must remain realistic because our competitors are clever too. They will also make progress. We don’t know what they have found, but I expect the others to have progressed at least as much as we have. However, we should now have a better foundation to build on. The goal is to bring upgrades early in the season.”
Ayao Komatsu asks fans for patience: “Our focus is on running a good program in the Bahrain tests and collecting good data so that we know which direction to continue developing the car. We need to identify weaknesses and strengths and then create a plan for the upgrades we bring. This was not the case in the past. The drivers will now be more involved in this process.”
The new captain on the Haas bridge hopes that the issue of increased tire wear over the race distance will be solved: “By using two different cars at the end of the year, we were able to collect a lot of data. It confirmed what we need to focus on with the VF-24.”
— see video above —-
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