In an attempt to end the season on a high, the Haas Formula 1 team will field two differing versions of the VF-23 at the Las Vegas Grand Prix as a result of a data correlation issue.
Having just picked up one point in the past 11 rounds, Nico Hulkenberg will revert to an older-specification car while Kevin Magnussen will stick with the Red Bull-inspired package introduced in Austin last month.
With just two rounds remaining in the 2023 season, Haas sits 10th and last in the Constructors’ Championship on 12 points.
With nearest rivals Alfa Romeo just four points ahead in the standings, the gamble could be worth millions of dollars in prize money should it work out amid the existing jeopardy of a brand new race in Sin City.
“It just comes down to personal preference,” claimed Hulkenberg when asked about the decision to run an older version of the car.
“We’ve had three races with the new package and whilst there were maybe some small benefits, there were also some not-so-good aspects with it and it was not the step forward that we needed from a big update.
“I think I just felt a little bit more comfortable and confident on the old package. And I think with the two circuits that we have here now, it favours that slightly more, hence that call.”
Kevin Magnussen, now nearing the end of his sixth season with the team, offered a more concerning explanation for the test.
“Well, I think part of the issue we have right now is much of the data we get, especially on the aero, doesn’t fully make sense,” he explained.
“So, you know, it would be interesting to actually get a direct comparison on feeling and actually seeing who’s going faster on which corners and how that adds up with the data we have on the cars. Maybe it’ll give a clearer picture, that’s what we need right now.”
Expanding further on the issues encountered, the Dane suggested that correlation issues largely stem from Haas’ aerodynamic data.
“Correlation is a bit off at the moment,” he added. “Just some of the aero. Just some of the data we have and some of the numbers we get, they don’t always make sense, so it’s nice to put both the cars on track at the same time and look at the speed trace and how it looks.
“It’s always hard to go too much into detail publicly about what’s going on but correlation is an issue at the moment.
“I do feel it’s different [the two packages Haas will run in Las Vegas]. I think we’ve lost a lot of grip in high-speed corners, there’s no doubt about that, and braking in a straight line is better in the old car.
“I feel characteristics through the corner is better with the new package, it suits my driving style better for sure. Front seems a little more consistent, and also the rear is probably the same. Suits my driving style a little better. And that’s why I stuck with the new package.”
In recent weeks, Aston Martin has run a similar experiment after also introducing major updates in Austin which has led to somewhat of a revival for the British marque.
The Silverstone-based squad were quick out of the blocks in the 2023 campaign as Fernando Alonso picked up six podiums in the opening eight races.
The rostrum appearances dried up over the summer, barring a second-place finish in a chaotic Dutch Grand Prix, as Aston Martin’s development fell behind that of its rivals.
After picking up just 21 points in the six rounds spanning from the Italian to Mexican Grands Prix, the latest race in Sao Paulo saw Aston Martin pick up a 25-point haul as Alonso narrowly out-dragged the Red Bull of Sergio Perez to third, while Lance Stroll found himself an impressive fifth.
As for Haas, the requirement to split specifications in the penultimate round of the season could lead to further problems approaching crunch time for developing next year’s car.
“It just means we have to reconsider,” Hulkenberg addressed when asked what the difference in preferences means for the American outfit’s 2024 challenger.
“Both of them aren’t good enough. We need to do a better job. We need to find performance elsewhere and yeah, just reconsider, look harder and deeper.”
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