Haas is hoping to make the big leap and become 'best of the rest' in 2018. For the past two years, it was Force India who led the battle behind the top three teams. But this year, Haas driver Kevin Magnussen admits his car could be in that position.
"I still think it will be close between Renault and McLaren, probably Force India and Toro Rosso," he told Ekstra Bladet newspaper. "It's hard to say where Williams is, but hopefully them as well."
Haas' 2018 car has even caught the eye of the reigning world champion team, with Mercedes' Toto Wolff hailing Gene Haas' entrepreneurialism and "crazy" boss Gunther Steiner. "Toto and I have a good relationship," Steiner smiled. "We do things a bit differently here and so he thinks we are a bit crazy. But I think it's a compliment. And I'd rather be called crazy than stupid!" he added.
As for everyone claiming Haas will be 'best of the rest' in 2018, Steiner answered: "It's flattering, but we are careful realists. We hope we're there but we're not putting ourselves under pressure because of test results. Yes, we were good. Congratulations. But you don't get points or a trophy for that," Steiner added.
"I hope McLaren and Renault will be our competitors. It would be a strange position to be in." (GMM)
To get this out of the way; I know it's only testing and it's Melbourne which by most pundits is a track not indicative of the pecking order for the start of the season. But I'm hoping there is more to come of what we saw today. That could mean an initial pecking order as follows:
Mercedes - Red Bull - Ferrari
Haas - McLaren - Renault
Force India - Williams - Toro Rosso
Sauber
Looks like it. But I dont know if its this easy... Judging from these two tests, things look very murky in the midfield, except for Sauber. And I like it!
I figured they looked strong, but I expected more from Renault. Good news, IMO. Glad they've learned from their lessons. Mind, I expect Renault to come back at them. I expect McLaren to struggle a bit more against this Ferrari B-team.
Mostly crybabying. While there are similarities between the two, they are also different . E.G: last year's car had no halo and had a sharkfin, two major things, and a car centered around those factors would translate poorly into this season. There are similarities for sure, but the cars are different enough.
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Replies (7)
Login to replyKean
Posts: 692
To get this out of the way; I know it's only testing and it's Melbourne which by most pundits is a track not indicative of the pecking order for the start of the season. But I'm hoping there is more to come of what we saw today. That could mean an initial pecking order as follows:
Mercedes - Red Bull - Ferrari
Haas - McLaren - Renault
Force India - Williams - Toro Rosso
Sauber
Kean
Posts: 692
Then I fully expect McLaren and Renault to leapfrog Haas during the season.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Looks like it. But I dont know if its this easy... Judging from these two tests, things look very murky in the midfield, except for Sauber. And I like it!
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I figured they looked strong, but I expected more from Renault. Good news, IMO. Glad they've learned from their lessons. Mind, I expect Renault to come back at them. I expect McLaren to struggle a bit more against this Ferrari B-team.
Jutlandia
Posts: 191
Alonso claims that Haas has done a copy of last season's Ferrari.
Dos anyone knows if it's true, or is it just hot air comming from an envy cry baby?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Mostly crybabying. While there are similarities between the two, they are also different . E.G: last year's car had no halo and had a sharkfin, two major things, and a car centered around those factors would translate poorly into this season. There are similarities for sure, but the cars are different enough.
JCF1
Posts: 27
Looks like it's Ferrari that is best of the rest.