Nico Hulkenberg ‘trying to survive’ Qatar GP as Haas ‘can’t fight’ – here’s why

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Nico Hulkenberg feels he will just be ‘trying to survive’ the Qatar Grand Prix as Haas cannot fight their Formula 1 rivals before their major upgrade package at the US GP.

This weekend is the final race for the current spec VF-23 with Haas planning to deliver a new car in Austin. Team principal Guenther Steiner sees their imminent upgrades as a preview to 2024. Many of the new parts coming in two weeks’ time will influence next season’s design.

Haas drivers Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen have pleaded for the American-owned team to introduce upgrades for months. The German and Danish drivers have battled with one of the worst cars on the grid this season. The VF-23 has a very minimal peak operating window.

Hulkenberg admits Haas are just ‘trying to survive’ the Qatar GP

When Haas can get the VF-23 operating at its best, Hulkenberg qualified P2 at the Canadian GP and Magnussen qualified P4 for the Miami GP. But its problems heighten in the race with Haas unable to overcome the car’s dire tyre degradation issues that ruins all promise shown.

Hulkenberg is, thus, under no illusions about the frustrating weekend Haas likely face at the Qatar GP this week. Temperatures at the Lusail International Circuit are expected to hit 38°C in FP1 and 32°C in qualifying this Friday. Race-day temperatures could range from 30-38°C.

“We’re trying to survive and then all eyes on Austin,” Hulkenberg admitted, as quoted by Sky Germany. “We only have blunt weapons and can’t fight with the other teams. You need a lot of contact pressure and balance here, too, then you have a good chance.

“But, unfortunately, we weren’t very fast in Suzuka. We’ve been waiting a long time [for the upgrades] and are looking forward to them.”

Upgrades cannot come soon enough for Hulkenberg and Magnussen

Hulkenberg and Magnussen finished P14 and P15 at the Japanese Grand Prix with both Haas drivers a lap down. The German and Danish drivers were also the last of all of those to finish at Suzuka. But Sergio Perez ruined Magnussen’s Japanese GP when they crashed at Turn 11.

Their contact on Lap 12 likely did not affect Magnussen’s result much as Haas struggled with a lack of pace. The 31-year-old could only qualify in P15 at Suzuka as the slowest driver who reached Q2. Hulkenberg, meanwhile, qualified in P18 with only Zhou Guanyu lapping slower.