Haas has become the first team to launch their 2022 Formula 1 car by unveiling a new livery ahead of the new season on Friday.
This year marks the beginning of a new era in F1 with the introduction of the all-new technical regulations designed to create better racing.
The rule changes will see a dramatic new look for the 2022 cars, which include the return of ground effect and new 18-inch tyres.
Haas comes off the back of its worst F1 season since joining the grid in 2016, after it chose to cease development on its 2021 car entirely in order to save resources for the new regulations.
The American outfit finished last in the constructors’ standings after failing to score a single point in its first year running an all-rookie driver line-up of Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin.
The pairing proved difficult to handle at times with both drivers having several on-track run-ins over the season, with Schumacher coming out on top in the head-to-head battle.
Having focused all of its effort on designing the VF-22 for the rule reset, Haas is hoping to move further up the grid with a more competitive car.
The team released rendered images of its 2022 challenger, featuring a white, red and blue livery similar to last year.
“It’s exciting to be at the point where we know the VF-22 will be on-track shortly,” said Haas team boss 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.”
Technical director Simone Resta believed the overhaul of the technical regulations turned out to be the biggest challenge Haas has faced in its seven years in F1.
“This is probably the most complex project the Uralkali Haas F1 Team has dealt with to-date for many reasons,” Resta said.
“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.”
Haas’ car won’t break cover until the first pre-season test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on February 23, where it will reveal its full design to meet the new regulations.
This will be followed by a further three-day test at the Sakhir International Circuit before the season opener in Bahrain on March 20.
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