After securing valuable points in Austin, Haas is eyeing further success as they head into the Mexican Grand Prix, hoping to solidify their P6 position in the 2024 FIA Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship. With seven points earned thanks to strong performances from Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen, the team looks to build on this momentum in Mexico.
Haas’ resurgence this season has been remarkable, especially after finishing at the bottom of the standings last year. Their current position of strength, ahead of rivals VCARB, is a testament to the leadership of new Team Principal Ayao Komatsu, whose strategic direction has revitalized the team. Under his guidance, Haas has consistently fought for Q3 appearances on Saturdays and points finishes on Sundays.
Key to this resurgence has been the upgrades to the Haas VF-24, introduced at the Circuit of the Americas, which have proven effective. These improvements are expected to continue benefiting the team during the demanding triple-header that started in Austin, with Mexico being the next stop.
Speaking ahead of the race, Komatsu highlighted the challenges of racing at Mexico City’s high-altitude Hermanos Rodríguez circuit. “Mexico provides a unique challenge due to its high altitude. The thin air means it’s tough on cooling and reduces downforce significantly,” Komatsu explained. “We normally have very poor grip levels in FP1, combined with a lack of downforce, so it’s a big challenge for both drivers and engineers to get on top of it quickly. Following our strong performance in Austin, we’re looking forward to this challenge and aiming for another top 10 finish.”
Nico Hülkenberg, buoyed by his points finish in Austin, is excited for the next leg of the season. “Mexico City is the second stop of my favourite part of the season. The culture is so vibrant, and the fans in the Foro Sol stadium are guaranteed to make some noise. Even if they save the biggest cheers for Checo,” Hülkenberg said, acknowledging home favorite Sergio Pérez. “It’s an interesting track and another good challenge. We’ll be ready for it.”
Teammate Kevin Magnussen also expressed his excitement for the event, emphasizing both the technical challenges and the unique atmosphere Mexico brings. “Mexico is a fun city, a fun track, and a fun event. The stadium section is a phenomenal part of the race track. It’s unique with the thin air, it’s tough on the cars for cooling, and aero-wise it’s a difficult venue. Our car is in a good place, so there’s no reason why we can’t score again,” added Magnussen.
With two more races to go in this triple-header, Haas is focused on maintaining their upward trajectory. A strong finish in Mexico would further cement their standing in the Constructors’ Championship, as the team continues its climb in one of its most competitive seasons in recent years.
