Haas team boss Guenther Steiner preview the upcoming 2023 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, insisting the real season starts now.
After an unusually early break, only three races into the 2023 F1 season, the sport will be back in action at Baku for the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Haas head into this race having scored points in the Australian Grand Prix courtesy of the team’s new driver Nico Hulkenberg who took seventh place scoring six points that put the American outfit in seventh in the Constructors’ Standings.
Reflecting in Australia, Steiner said: “It was one of those moments where you thought he could make points and do it, and hopefully a lot more. Then immediately the frustration sets in with what could’ve been if there had been a different decision from the Race Director.
“In the end, we’re happy with seventh place, and the six points we scored takes us forward in the Constructors’ Championship again. All in all, a very good race weekend for us in Australia,” he maintained.
The U.S. squad tried to make the best out of the break
As for the team’s preparation over the long break; Steiner said: “With the unintended break, we tried to make the best out of it. Firstly, I told people to rest a little bit and get ready for a tough season in front of us as.
“The real season starts now with the double-header and then the triple-header. The design team is working on the last little bits for upgrades that we bring in the next races, starting in Miami. We also put a few things in place like the race team going to a team bonding event for two days in Wales,” he revealed.
“It’s difficult to say because it’s not only our form,” the Italian said of his expectations from his team in Baku. “I think our car isn’t perfect but I don’t know where the rest of the cars are perfect this year. I let myself be surprised when we go out in first practice and see what we can do, but this year it could be possible that our car scores points in every race.
“That’s the aim anyway so let’s hope after 2017, 2023 is the year that we score points in Baku,” Steiner hoped.
As for the new Sprint Format that was confirmed on Tuesday, the Haas Boss commented: “I definitely prefer the new set-up because Saturday morning practice is pretty pointless as you couldn’t change anything on the car, you just went out there, did laps and tried to understand the tires. I don’t think that’s very interesting for the fans. A second qualifying is a lot better for the fans and also for us as it gives you excitement.
“We’ve got a lot of things going on at the weekend, two qualifying sessions and two races, and I think that’s great for the sport,” Steiner concluded.