Uralkali Haas F1 Team Showcases VF-22
With 2022 finally seeing a new set of regulations dramatically changing the way Formula 1 cars look, and race, coming into play – Uralkali Haas F1 Team today unveiled the design and livery of its brand-new VF-22 challenger.
Revealed across the team’s social media channels, the series of digital renders released on Friday showcase the car that Uralkali Haas F1 Team drivers Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher will compete with across the record-breaking 23-race 2022 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
The VF-22 is the first entry to emerge from the American-owned team’s all-new design-office in Maranello, Italy – led by Technical Director Simone Resta. Bringing together a new personnel group and weaving it into the existing fabric of the team, now entering its seventh season in Formula 1, was just one of many challenges tackled through 2021 culminating in the design of the VF-22 – a car which has its genesis in a completely new set of regulations.
To promote closer racing, the FIA and F1 rewrote the rules, with the new cars featuring a ground effect floor, simplified front wing and dramatic rear wing – plus new Pirelli 18-inch tires.
Having dropped towards the back of the field in 2020, Haas opted not to develop their 2021 car, in favor of putting 100% of their resources on this year’s machine in a bid to return to the midfield.
The VF-22 is the seventh Haas F1 car, and first to emerge from the American team’s all-new design office in Maranello, led by their Technical Director Simone Resta.
The livery is an evolution of last year’s predominantly white design.
Haas, who will once again run Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin, finished 10th in last year’s championship, and were the only team not to score.
“It’s that time of year where you’re naturally optimistic that the hard work and effort of everyone will translate to a competitive entry on track,” said owner Gene Haas. “We made the decision back in 2020 to really channel time and resources into the VF-22, foregoing anything track-related for 2021 – which wasn’t easy to watch. Hopefully that decision bears fruit and we return to challenging for points and taking something from the weekends.”
“It’s exciting to be at the point where we know the VF-22 will be on-track shortly,” said Guenther Steiner, Team Principal – Uralkali Haas F1 Team. “We all know what the team is capable of, we’ve proved that in the past, and with this new car – born out of a completely new set of regulations and with our new design team in place, I’m confident we can showcase once again that we can compete on weekends. It’s been a tremendous effort by everyone involved and now comes the fun part of getting the new car to the circuit and dialing in all the elements. Last season was a long one but I’m confident that 2022 will see us back in the mix with the VF-22.”
All 10 Formula 1 teams will gather to shakedown their new entries at Spain’s Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya February 23-25. Pre-season testing then moves to the Bahrain International Circuit from March 10-12. The 2022 FIA Formula 1 World Championship launches with the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix March 20.