Banbury outfit Haas F1 Team in great shape for Miami Grand Prix - ahead of Red Bull
The Banbury-based TGR Haas F1 Team are eager to build on strong foundations as they prepare for their first home Grand Prix of the season, in Miami at the start of May.
Haas, American but with their European headquarters situated in Banbury, are currently fourth in the F1 Constructors’ Championship following an impressive start to the campaign.
In the first three rounds, including the Chinese Sprint, Haas collected 18 points, two more than those in joint-fifth: Alpine and Red Bull Racing.
British driver Oliver Bearman, currently P7 in the World Drivers’ Championship with 17 of Haas’ 18 points, delivered fifth and seventh-placed finishes in China and Australia.
Meanwhile, French teammate Esteban Ocon clinched his first points finish of the season as he crossed the line in P10 at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Bearman suffered a huge 50G-impact crash just a third of the way into that race, but he fortunately walked away with only a minor knee injury.
The unforeseen five-week F1 break - due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East postponing the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races - came at the perfect time for Bearman to rest.
Both Bearman and Ocon are hopeful they can build momentum for Haas in Miami, with the team understood to have been working on upgrades during the April interval.
Rivals for the ‘best of the rest’ status - including Alpine, Racing Bulls and Audi - are all bound to have made progress in this time, too. But Haas have the early upper-hand thanks to their performances so far.
Haas are determined to keep up their early season form in Miami, knowing there could be significant swings in the standings if they give up positions to challengers.
The goal will undoubtedly be to secure a first double points finish of the season – and that should be possible, with Bearman looking strong other than his Suzuka shunt and Ocon gaining confidence last time out.
As it’s a Sprint weekend, extra points are up for grabs on the Saturday evening. The sole practice session, taking place on the Friday, will be vital as Haas and rivals properly test their performance upgrades for the first time.
The Miami Sprint is at 5pm UK time on Saturday, May 2. Meanwhile, the Grand Prix begins at 9pm on Sunday, May 3.