31/05/2018
NEWS STORY
In many ways, Monaco was the worst weekend of the season for the American team, with only one driver (Grosjean) making it into Q2, and both drivers well off the pace in the race.
For Canada however, the team is hoping that a "significant" upgrade package will put the team back on track as it seeks to claim back sixth in the team standings.
"We've got quite significant changes," reveals tem boss Guenther Steiner, "front wing, floor, and all the bargeboard area.
"Obviously, their aim is to go faster, to gain us speed," he adds. "A lot of people brought their upgrades to Spain. We decided to bring them to Canada to have a little bit more time, because we're still a small team and cannot react as quickly as the big ones."
As well as the upgrades to the car, Haas will also have access to the new Ferrari engine it tried in Monaco.
"The upgrades in the engines are small because they are so highly developed," says Steiner. "To find big gains is very difficult but, for sure, every time Ferrari gives us an upgrade, it is for a good reason, as it has more power."
Of course, with the three engine rule in 2018, one has to ensure you get the most out of them without wearing them out too quickly.
"You introduce your first replacement engine, basically engine number two, at about this point in the season," says the Italian. "You use engine number one for FP1 and FP2, but not for FP3, as you put the newest engine in on Saturday morning for FP3, then for qualifying and the race.
"Right now, we are up to plan with our engine. If it all goes well, we should get to the end of the season without having to use a fourth engine and get a grid penalty.
"The engine management is done by Ferrari," he adds. "They've worked hard on it so the car can do the mileage, and so that we can do the mileage with three engines over the year."
Asked about the hypersoft tyre, which appears again in Canada, Steiner is not as quick to condemn it as some.
"It performs like it should," he says. "It's a proper qualifying tyre, and it seems to do ok in the race for a reduced amount of laps."
Asked whether the cooler, anticipated temperatures in Montreal might impact the hypersoft, he replies: "In theory, the hypersoft should last longer because of the reduced temperature, but we need to see how abrasive the track is and what we can get out of the tyre."