Haas has revealed its 2022 F1 car which will be driven by Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin. The VF-22 is a big bet for the team as it abandoned any development for the 2021 car in a bid to maximise its efforts for the 2022 car that will be the first one with the new aerodynamic regulations. It is also the first car that features Ferrari's new power unit which will also end up in Alfa Romeo and Ferrari's own works car. Haas hasn't shown off a car per se, but a render of the end product in an online presentation.
Livery wise it is very similar to the 2021 car featuring the Uralkali branding which has been its title sponsor since last year which also enabled the entry for Nikita Mazepin whose father owns the company. The team which came last in the constructor's championship will also get more wind tunnel and CFD time. This car features ground effect aerodynamics, new rear wings, simplified front wings, and 18-inch wheel rims apart from a new engine that features 10 percent E10 biofuel.
The car has been designed by a team led by Simone Resta
Physically, the car will be first seen later this month in Barcelona when pre-season starts behind the scenes. "It's exciting to be at the point where we know the VF-22 will be on track shortly," said Haas F1 team principal Gunther Steiner.
"We all know what the team is capable of, we've proved that in the past, and with this new car - born out of a completely new set of regulations and with our new design team in place, I'm confident we can showcase once again that we can compete on weekends. It's been a tremendous effort by everyone involved and now comes the fun part of getting the new car to the circuit and dialing in all the elements. Last season was a long one but I'm confident that 2022 will see us back in the mix with the VF-22," Steiner added.
Simon Resta who joined Ferrari as technical director has been overseeing the project from within Maranello that Haas uses from within Ferrari.
Haas didn't develop the VF-21 in a bid to maximise development for the VF-22
"Probably the most complex project the team has dealt with to date. It's a completely new set of regulations and this season we've brought in a new team to manage the creation of the VF-22. Not everyone is new but a good chunk of people have joined with a revised structure now in place. I consider this as a great success in the process. We're still early in the project and going through a transitional season of working together on a car for a full year, but if we look back where we started, this team is already a success," the Italian revealed.
Pre-season testing starts is between 23 and 25 February in Barcelona and then another set of tests will happen in Bahrain between 10-12 March before the season opener which also happens there on March 20.
