F1Weekly Podcast # 1041
Play Podcast: 04-29-24f1weekly1041.mp3
Nasir is off to Miami to cover the entire Formula 1® weekend. Motorsports Mondial begins with Sweet home Alabama, ends in Jerez de la Frontera. All eyes are on Logan Sargent will he crash or will he splash in the Miami Heat! And enjoy the final part of our conversation with Howden Ganley.
Let’s hear from the home team Haas F1
MoneyGram Haas F1 Team’s first home race of the season – the Miami Grand Prix – is only a few days away, but before I let you in on some of the exciting things the team will be doing, I’d like to first acknowledge the news from last week that Nico will be leaving the team at the end of the season. Nico’s experience has helped us understand and improve our cars, and the team has thoroughly enjoyed working with him. Together, we’re still fully focused on the season ahead.
Now, let me bring you up to speed on the last two rounds, starting with my own home race, the Japanese Grand Prix.
It’s always an exciting event with crazy passionate fans, we all know that, but after attending so many events, I have to admit it was a humbling week for me and one I won’t forget. I knew when becoming Team Principal the responsibility I had to lead the team and the hardworking people within it, but after meeting so many fans who are as enthusiastic as I am, it’s helped further motivate our work ahead.
In China, we brought the first part of an update to track which we were looking forward to. It did what it was supposed to do from the data we received over the weekend, but we can’t confirm one hundred percent our findings as we haven’t done a proper back-to-back test against the launch spec yet. We put the update on both cars for a Sprint event which was a bit risky, but the competition is so tight in the midfield and a tenth could mean you’re out in Q1 or not. So, we knew we needed to try it as we didn’t want to regret not doing it. We’re planning to bring further additions in Miami and Imola, all with the objective to help the overall performance of the car. We executed our race with Nico perfectly on Sunday. Scoring points for the third time in five races is great work from everyone.
Now we head to the Miami Grand Prix, a different type of event for Formula 1. It’s not just a race, it’s a weekend on the calendar that no one wants to miss. With home races comes more of everything – more interviews (thankfully Nico and Kevin are more in demand than me) more events, and more pressure to perform.
We’re proudly an American team, with an American title sponsor in MoneyGram, many more American sponsors and for the first time, an American driver within our roster.
Chloe Chambers is representing Haas in the F1 Academy Series, racing with Campos Racing. Chloe visited our UK Factory in January and I had the pleasure of being one of the first people in the team to meet her.
She’s an intelligent, funny and driven racer, and has naturally fit in well within the team – something I’m lucky to say all our drivers have in common. Chloe has experience of racing in Miami already, so we’re hoping the second event this season will be a successful one for her.
Chloe Chambers in the F1 Academy Series
It’s not a home race without a new look these days, and in Miami, we’re collaborating with our partner Palm Angels on a new design for driver overalls. You’ll have to wait until later this week to see the design, and it’s super special as Chloe will also have a custom suit. Pietro is also with us for the first time this season… remember what I said about Miami?! Joking aside, Pietro is a full-time IndyCar driver now so I’ll let him off, but it’s always great to have him at track with us.
For now, enjoy Miami – the first time the F1 Sprint will feature there!
Ayao