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The Haas Formula 1 team risks having a delayed start to the second pre-season Formula 1 test in Bahrain after a problem with its cargo being sent from the UK.
While other teams anticipated the arrival of equipment in Bahrain on Monday ahead of the three-day test beginning on Thursday, a problem with a cargo plane means Haas’s cars and spares will arrive no earlier than Tuesday morning.
As first reported by Auto Motor und Sport in Germany, Haas has needed to arrange an alternative route for its equipment after the plane that was due to arrive in the UK to transport its gear to Bahrain was grounded in Istanbul with technical problems.
Team boss Guenther Steiner is quoted as saying Haas may need to “write off” the opening day, though the team is hoping it will be set up in time and any compromise is limited.
AMuS suggests that if Haas was forced to miss Thursday entirely then it may be allowed to run separately – perhaps on Sunday, the day after the test ends – on grounds of force majeure.
This logistical headache is another unfortunate complication in what has been a difficult pre-season for Haas so far.
It is yet to confirm who will drive alongside Mick Schumacher at the test after terminating the contract of Nikita Mazepin – and the title sponsorship from his father’s company Uralkali – last weekend in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Haas is already on the back foot heading into the second test after a difficult three days in Spain where it was beset by mechanical problems and also suffered from the porpoising issue that afflicted most teams.
The Bahrain test is therefore a vital final opportunity to build mileage and test the team’s solutions for its VF-22 before the season begins at the Sakhir track one week later on March 20.
