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Grosjean happy after promising pace from Haas

Published on 23 Mar 2018 12:12
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By: Fergal Walsh

Romain Grosjean has expressed his satisfaction with Haas after the VF-18 had a positive Friday at Albert Park. At the opening day of running, Grosjean finished both practice sessions in seventh and sixth place respectively.

Following the winter test, teams have emitted their surprise over Haas, who now appear to be the outfit at the head of the midfield. Grosjean's fastest time of the day was a 1:24.648, which was just seven-tenths of Lewis Hamilton's pace setting time in free practice two.

The Frenchman was left with a smile following the conclusion of Friday practice: "It’s been a good day. I’m happy with the car and the guys did a great job getting everything ready. We had a successful winter test, and it’s good to confirm that the car is up there on a different track and with different temperatures.

"Obviously, it’s early stages and we need to keep up the work and keep building everything. There are areas where we can improve the car but, generally, I’m very happy with how today went."

Team principal Guenther Steiner added: "Not a bad day, but not a perfect one either. We had some small issues with Kevin in FP1 which carried into FP2. In the end, though, we came out not too bad. We have a good understanding of what we can do. We’ve got some more work to do tomorrow, but then I think everything changes a bit, because it’s supposed to be raining all day long."

Fergal Walsh

F1 News Romain Grosjean Lewis Hamilton

Replies (8)

Kean

Posts: 692
Could it be that they're basically running the 2017 Ferrari?
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- Mar 23 2018 - 12:31
- mcbhargav
  
  Posts: 1,332
  It clearly doesn't look like 2017 Ferrari. For time being, we have to believe what Gunther said about their ability to make tires work.
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  Mar 23 2018 - 15:23
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I agree with MCBHARGAV. It has similarities to the 2017 spec mind, but there are clear differences. 'sides, the regulations wouldnt allow the 17 spec Ferrari, and the 17 spec Ferrari was also built to function with a sharkfin, something this car mostly lack.
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  Mar 23 2018 - 16:26
- krommenaas
  
  Posts: 155
  Since all the teams have been saying that the weight of the halo and its support structure made such a big difference: no. At most it's an evolution of the 2017 Ferrari.
  + 0
  
  Mar 23 2018 - 16:39
- Kean
  
  Posts: 692
  I was just quoting the BS that apparently one hears up and down the paddock. In other words I was being facetious.
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  Mar 23 2018 - 19:17
boudy

Posts: 1,168
but will he finish the race? Let's hope for HAAS that his drivers can capitalise on their early advantage over the others,
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- Mar 23 2018 - 15:08
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I think they can. None of these drivers are exceptional, but they are good enough to score decent points in a good car.
  + 0
  
  Mar 23 2018 - 16:27
renaultFanF1

Posts: 80
Look out for Grosjean during the race. I think he's mature enough and fast enough to take a podium if any of the front runners make a mistake.
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- Mar 23 2018 - 20:02