Haas Delivers Floor Upgrade at US GP Amidst Late-Season Push

Haas is rolling out a significant floor upgrade at the United States Grand Prix, a seemingly late move given the looming 2026 regulation changes. The team aims to enhance its Formula 1 car's balance and grip while simultaneously unlocking broader set-up opportunities.

Why it matters:

• With the budget cap and aerodynamic testing restrictions in place, most teams are already shifting focus and resources toward the radical 2026 regulations, which will introduce new chassis and engine characteristics.
• However, Haas has chosen a different path, extending its development push for its 2025 challenger. This decision is driven by the fact that eighth place in the constructors' championship is still within reach, with only a nine-point deficit to Sauber.

The Details:

• The new floor will be exclusively trialed by Esteban Ocon during the sole practice session at the Circuit of the Americas.
• Following Ocon's feedback, the team will decide whether to implement the upgrade on both cars or neither for sprint qualifying.
• Team Principal Ayao Komatsu emphasized that the upgrade targets both overall performance improvement and enhanced drivability and stability, aiming to give drivers more confidence through better predictability.
• The direction for this current upgrade was validated by the Silverstone package introduced earlier in the season, which also focused on improving predictability and consistency.
• Set-up Flexibility: Komatsu noted that the new upgrade should expand set-up opportunities, as previous limitations constrained car adjustments in certain directions.
• Driver Confidence: Ocon, who has scored just one point in the last five Grands Prix, expressed hope that the upgrade would provide better balance and increased grip, translating into more frequent points finishes for the team.

Between the lines:

• The decision to introduce a major upgrade so late in the development cycle, when most teams are already looking ahead to 2026, highlights Haas's commitment to securing a better position in the constructors' championship this season.
• Despite the challenge of having only one practice session to evaluate the upgrade, Komatsu is confident that the team can manage, citing past instances of significant car changes within tight timelines.
• He specifically referenced the Spa sprint weekend, where Esteban's car underwent a much larger downforce setting change between FP1 and sprint qualifying, proving the team's adaptability.
• Komatsu believes that if the upgrade's characteristics are correct and Ocon's feedback is positive, it will also benefit rookie Oliver Bearman, who shares similar stability and corner-balance preferences with Ocon.

What's next:

• Komatsu is determined to shed Haas's reputation for struggling with in-season car development. The team has historically scored a low percentage of its points after July in 2022 and 2023.
• However, under Komatsu's leadership in 2024, Haas has shown improved development, accumulating 11 points after the summer break, a marked improvement from previous years.
• Should the upgrade prove successful, Komatsu believes it will further validate the team's ability to develop the car, building confidence across the entire organization and demonstrating sustained progress.