(Motorsport) Haas has become the first Formula 1 team to unveil their 2022 car which showcases the aesthetic changes, overhauled dynamics, new floor, wings and 18-inch tyres. The team will retain Nikita Mazepiin and Mick Schumacher for the upcoming season and will aim to have a better season this time around than last year, especially considering they had their worst F1 season in 2021, finishing 10th and failing to score a single point in a car which was barely upgraded from 2020.
The 2022 Formula 1 season will offer a respite to Haas as every team has the opportunity to start with a clean slate due to the overhaul of car design. Haas has been targeting the 2022 campaign to overturn their fortunes and will hope that the VF22 will be able to compete alongside the other cars on the grid. Technical director Simone Resta has described the car as the "most complex project" he has ever undertaken and the design is "dramatically different, the livery of the new entry is an evolution of last year".
In an interview, team owner Gene Haas said “It's that time of year where you're naturally optimistic that the hard work and effort of everyone will translate to a competitive entry on track. We made the decision back in 2020 to really channel time and resources into the VF-22, foregoing anything track-related for 2021 – which wasn't easy to watch. Hopefully that decision bears fruit and we return to challenging for points and taking something from the weekends." Team principal Gunther Steiner added: "Last season was a long one but I'm confident that 2022 will see us back in the mix with the VF-22."
The new rules, which were initially planned for 2021, were delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While regulations have often been changed in order to ensure safety of the drivers as cars have evolved into faster machines with every passing year, the current regulations will focus on creating a more level playing field amongst cars on the Formula 1 grid and ensure easier overtaking and more action packed races. Some of the most notable changes are a ground effect floor, simplified front wing and sharp new rear wing and 18 inch tyres with wheel winglets.
This means that the 2022 car designs won’t just look different, it will ensure more competitive racing. Shifting the aerodynamics focus from the wings to underneath the car will make it easier to follow the cars in front as the 2021 cars lost about 35% of their downforce within three car lengths of the car in front and almost 50 per cent in a single car length. The new cars have dropped these numbers to just four and 18 per cent respectively.
Also read: Red Bull Racing to become first F1 team to launch 2022 car
