Haas were the surprise team in Silverstone, thanks to a great weekend from Nico Hulkenberg. The 36-year-old, who ran the team’s long-awaited aerodynamic package, secured a vital P6 result. Ayao Komatsu’s team also deserve credit for optimising strategy during a tricky British GP. The American team are now within touching distance of VCARB in 6th.
Only Hulkenberg ran the updated VF-24, while Magnussen raced with the team’s older specification. The new components unlocked a clear step forward in performance:
“The innovations immediately put us in a comfort zone, and they worked straight away. The team must be praised,” said Hulkenberg about the team’s upgrades. The American car was fifth-fastest in the German driver’s hands, even at a circuit not historically well-suited to Haas.
HAAS: NEW PACKAGE GETS FULL MARKS
As always, the optimisation of the package was fundamental. Putting everything together in qualifying was also crucial for the team. Magnussen could have likely scored points in Silverstone had he avoided elimination in Q1. However, poor timing saw the Dane miss out on a chance to set a lap when the track was improving.
Haas anticipated an improvement of approximately two-tenths from their upgrades. Silverstone was an excellent test bench, given that the track layout consists of medium and high-speed corners. In these sections, Nico Hulkenberg was able to match the performance shown by the Ferrari duo.
THE VF-24 SHARES THE FERRARI MECHANICAL PLATFORM BUT THERE IS NO FEAR OF BOUNCING IN VIEW OF THE NEXT DEVELOPMENT
Both drivers will have the upgraded version of the VF-24 at the Hungarian GP. The latest improvements from Silverstone were targeted at improving medium and high-speed performance. The team’s first 2024 package in China was focused on the low-speed corners.
It is worth remembering that Haas rents the Maranello wind tunnel, where it carries out its own test bench sessions.
The American team’s technicians have not had any bouncing problems this year. This is despite sharing the same mechanical as Ferrari, a team showing real difficulty in this department. The VF-24 has clearly not yet reached the point of generating the maximum load levels found with Ferrari’s Spain-spec floor.
However, within the team, there are no concerns that later upgrades to increase aerodynamic load will inadvertently create bouncing. The next upgrades to the VF-24 are scheduled for Zandvoort.
FITTIPALDI AND BEARMAN ON TRACK AT SILVERSTONE FOR PIRELLI TESTS (WITH THE UPDATED VF-24)
Although there is no Grand Prix this weekend, there is plenty of activity on the calendar for Pirelli and Haas. They both remained at Silverstone to complete some 2025 tyre tests on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Ayao Komatu’s team took to the track on the first day with Enzo Fittipaldi, while on the second, it was Oliver Bearman who took the wheel. Both drivers ran with the upgraded VF-24, featuring all the latest parts.
It is not possible to collect significant aerodynamic data in a Pirelli test. Still, the choice to have the young English tester drive the car with the latest specifications – including a new floor – is no coincidence.
Along with Haas, McLaren and Williams also remained at Silverstone for the tyre tests. The last day was kinder from a weather perspective, and slick tyres were used. Due to rain, the Italian tyre manufacturer changed its plans and chose to run the cars with the experimental 2025 intermediate tyres on the first day.
