F1 News

Gene Haas hopeful new regulations can help his team ‘make more of an impact’

Gene Haas hopeful new regulations can help his team ‘make more of an impact’

07-02-2019 12:10

Bevan Youl

Haas F1 team owner Gene Haas has said that he is hopeful the new regulations introduced for 2019 will help his team ‘make more of an impact’ throughout the season to improve on the previous.

Haas released their new livery for 2019 earlier today, unveiling the new colour of the car, courtesy of new sponsor Rich Energy.

The regulations for 2019 have simplified the front wings of the car, making them wider with fewer parts to it, as well as the widening and raising of the rear wing to help cars deal with slipstream when following another car.

Talking at the team’s launch event Haas said: “This is the time of the season when you hope you’ve got designs right and you can be competitive straight away.

“The new car looks distinctive, not only in terms of its colour scheme, but also with the new regulations in play. Hopefully those design changes brought in for 2019 will improve the racing on-track, and more importantly give us a shot at making more of an impact at each Grand Prix.”

Haas finished fifth in the constructors’ championship last year, behind Renault as ‘best of the rest’ and the team owner says the new teams sponsor in Rich Energy will benefit them in the long run to help with progression.

“It’s important that we keep progressing as a team, and this season is no different. Our partnership with Rich Energy is another positive example of moving forward as an organization,” Haas said.

“We’re pleased to see their colors on the VF-19, we welcome them as they join our valued partner group in utilizing Formula One as a global marketing platform.

“While 2018 delivered our best season to-date, the year showed, sometimes sharply, that we still have areas to improve on as a team. On-track, our push for performance started early with the VF-19, our next step is to get to Spain and utilize our time there wisely to prepare for Australia.”