Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Preview

MoneyGram Haas F1 Team’s 2023 journey has taken it around the world, completing 5357 laps (27,335km) of some of the finest circuits aboard the VF-23, with veteran pairing Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg combining to rack up 12 points. Now, entering the final round, the ambition is to finish the championship season on a positive note and sign off from 2023 on a strong footing.

The United Arab Emirates’ Abu Dhabi became part of Formula 1’s schedule in 2009, on the man-made Yas Island, and has established itself as the traditional finale venue. World Champions have been crowned at Yas Marina in 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2021 in nail-biting showdowns that attracted acclaim and courted controversy. 

The 5.2km circuit features 16 corners, two lengthy straights, and several slow- and medium-speed corners. It underwent a partial redesign in 2021, with the tweaks lauded by drivers, in particular the updated sweeper at Turn 9, which replaced a fiddly and languid chicane. 

MoneyGram Haas F1 Team will welcome back Ferrari Driver Academy member Oliver Bearman for his second Free Practice 1 outing of the season. Multiple Formula 2 race winner Bearman first drove the VF-23 during the corresponding 60-minute session in Mexico City, and his run on Friday will fulfil the team’s obligation to run a rookie driver during two practices in 2023.

 

Guenther Steiner – Team Principal:

We head to the season finale of the 2023 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. How would you summarize the season, sharing both your favorite and most challenging moments of the year? 

“I would say the start of the season was pretty good, it was looking promising. Getting Nico in the team, we got exactly what we wanted with his experience, but we hit a wall with the development of the car, we couldn’t find further performance and others did. We took a step back so hopefully we can take a step forward next year. The highlight was Nico scoring points in Australia after three years away as a full-time Formula 1 driver.”

 

Next week there’s a post-season test, where both Pietro Fittipaldi and Oliver Bearman will get behind the wheel of the VF-23. What was the rationale behind that? 

“We’ll have Pietro in the tire test car as it’s a good opportunity for us in case we need him next year as a reserve driver. There are no new tires for next year, and our current drivers have been testing tires enough with 22 races, so we’ll put Pietro in one car, which leaves the rookie driver test seat available. Ollie did a good job in FP1, so we said let’s put him in to give him more experience.”

 

There are only a few days left before the paddock enters the winter break for some well-earned rest. What does your off-season look like – how much time off to unwind can you have before getting back to work ahead of the new season?

“This year, I don’t think there will be any unwinding because we need to work hard to get back to our form and get our competitiveness back to where we want it to be. There’s a lot of work to be done and I need to focus to get ready for next season, to be in a better position than we were this season. Now, we’re only looking forward. What’s happened, we don’t forget it, but we’ve learned enough, and it’s wide open for next year.”