2021 has been a complicated season for Haas F1 with the lack of pace of the car and a challenge for its two rookie drivers Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin.

Guenther Steiner, Haas F1 Team Principal, said both drivers are now fully aware of how hard it is to compete in F1.

“Both of them have realised how intense and difficult a sport Formula 1 is when you get there.”

“It doesn’t compare with anything else in racing and that’s why it’s the pinnacle of motorsport. That’s the personal side.”

“On the driving side, you learn you’re racing with the best people in the world. I think they are making good progress but I’m sure there is more to come from them.”

Steiner talked about the difficulties of being a team with a low budget in F1, meaning less testing.

“With reduced testing, it’s very important. It’s a big change in general next year and we need to get our own understanding and data.”

The past week both Haas drivers participated in the Pirelli 2022 18-inch tyre tests at Silverstone completing 222 laps.

“The drivers need to get a taste of the new tyres, get a feeling and give us feedback of what they think.”

“In general, even making a hybrid car, which is a converted 2019 car, obviously doesn’t come for free but it’s worthwhile to do it. We are a serious team and this is a part of it to get prepared for the future.”

“As we all know, we are working very hard on 2022 to get us back to where we were, we need to do this and it’s worth every bit of effort to get there. For the drivers to get a feel and for the team to get some data, it’s very valuable information.”

This week Hungarian GP is the last race before the summer break begins.

“The summer break is important and at the moment there is no talk about getting rid of this in the future, even if there are more events coming.” 

“I think once COVID is over, the planning for Formula 1 will be not necessarily easier but a lot more predictable. At the moment, it is unpredictable what is happening in each country, therefore we are having quite a tough schedule.”

“I’m sure we will get organised and make it possible to have a big calendar and still have the summer break.”