Haas F1 Team’s Nightmare in Monaco: Double DNF and Huge Repair Bills Spell Trouble
The Monaco Grand Prix proves to be a disaster for Haas as both cars face double DNF and collide with costly consequences.
Team Principal Ayao Komatsu was hardly able to hide his disappointment after a weekend in Monaco that saw both Haas cars disqualified in qualifying, forcing them to start from the back of the grid.
The calamity didn't end there, however. Both Haas cars became unwilling participants in an early-race collision with Sergio Perez's Red Bull, leaving the team with substantial repair bills. “Starting from P19 and P20, we had an alternative strategy plan to try to get something out of it, but unfortunately our race ended on lap one,” Komatsu said. “It's been a Sunday to forget and we just have to learn from this weekend and move on, and get a good result in Canada.”
READ MORE: Perez, Magnussen, and Hulkenberg share contrasting views on start pile-up in Monaco
In the cost cap era, unexpected damages can set teams back significantly; for Haas, the Monaco incident is a double blow. The financial hit from repairs is coupled with the fact that their rivals, Williams and Alpine, leveraged the opportunity to close the points gap in the Constructors' standings. At the same time, Red Bull extended their lead, thanks in part to Yuki Tsunoda's eighth-place finish.
Kevin Magnussen summed up the team’s frustration bluntly. The Danish driver was involved in the initial incident with Perez. Although the stewards ruled it a racing incident and avoided penalizing him further, the costs are a significant setback. “It’s frustrating, and a crash like this has a big cost for the team in terms of spare parts and making new parts, as well as a lot of work for the team. It’s just never good,” Magnussen stated.
Haas now faces a 10-day turnaround before the Canadian Grand Prix. The team must assess whether the crashes caused long-term damage to the engines or chassis, and it's possible that both drivers may need new gearboxes down the line, adding to the potential complications and cost. Between the cost cap, the redistribution of parts, and the possible delay in upgrades, the impact of Monaco cannot be understated.
All things considered, the Monaco Grand Prix couldn't have gone worse for Haas. Not only did the team lose out on points, but they also face potential delays in critical upgrades, a considerable repair bill, and the mounting pressure of keeping pace with their rivals.