Haas appoints former Ferrari employee as technical director

With a ninth place finish in the championship, 2020 was not the best year for Haas and 2021 is unlikely to be much better. That is why the new technical director is focusing almost entirely on the development towards 2022 when the rules are changed.

Improving the relationship between Ferrari and Haas

Simone Resta has been appointed as the first-ever technical director at Haas. He comes over from Ferrari where he worked as Head of Chassis Engineering. With this transfer, Ferrari and Haas want to improve their relationship. He was at Haas to help with the 2021 car but will focus almost entirely on the 2022 car from the end of February.

“He’s spent the first few weeks getting himself accustomed with what we’re doing," Haas team boss Guenther Steiner told Formula1.com. “He has got involved in this year’s car - there were some design changes because of the regulation changes (surrounding mainly the floor area) but now, 80% of his time is focused on 22’, and by end of February it will be 99% focused on 2022.”

Another difficult season

Haas expects 2021 to bring another tough season for the team. “We are preparing to be better, but I don’t know what the reality will be", said Steiner. “We know it could be tough, but we will manage it. That’s one of the reasons we took two rookie drivers, this is a transition year and we plan for better days in 2022." Next season, Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin will form the driver duo at Haas.

“We are bracing ourselves for a tough year. You always work to get best out of it that you can, but you also need to be realistic and not dream that all of a sudden everything will be good." So Haas will have to tread water for a while. "Because last year we took such a big step backwards last year, we have to make two forwards. And that’s what we’re doing.”