Haas has become the third Formula 1 team to run its 2023 car on track, and provided a first look at its proper VF23.
The team had unveiled its fresh livery – based around new title sponsor Moneygram – at the end of January, but made clear at the time that its renders did not represent the 2023 car and that this would be seen when it conducted a shakedown run under ‘filming day’ regulations at Silverstone today.
The wait is over! The #VF23 is on track for the first time 🙌#HaasF1 pic.twitter.com/btFfYp4RuY
— MoneyGram Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) February 11, 2023
Kevin Magnussen took to the track first, with the team issuing a video showing the Ferrari-powered car leaving the pits, having earlier put out shots in the garage where it was mostly visible, bar some careful placing of drivers and personnel.
It later began supplying clearer pictures of the car on track too.
Most teams are being extremely careful with design secrecy during the current launch season and limiting how much of critical areas such as the floor edges are visible at launch events and in the materials they issue.
Alfa Romeo became the first team to show its 2023 F1 car on track on Friday, and is conducting a second filming day at Barcelona.
Light ‘em up, @ZhouGuanyu24. 🔥 #GetCloser #F1 pic.twitter.com/N9J31YuZiF
— Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake (@alfaromeof1) February 11, 2023
Race drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu were both at the wheel on Friday and will be again on day two, with reserve driver Theo Pourchaire also set to conduct running in the C43.
Red Bull’s RB19 also ran at Silverstone on Friday, though the team released only a short video clip on social media in which the car could not be seen clearly.
part of the team & a pair of balls 😉 #f1 pic.twitter.com/YsPGH0A5JY
— Nico Hülkenberg (@HulkHulkenberg) February 11, 2023
Magnussen is joined at Haas by F1 returnee Nico Hulkenberg, in his first full-time deal since 2019, this year.
Having virtually written off the 2020 and 2021 seasons to focus its limited resources on preparing for F1’s new rules last year, Haas enjoyed a very strong start to 2022 and had three points finishes in the first four grands prix.
But it tailed off thereafter and ended up down in eighth in the constructors’ championship – still its best result since fifth in 2018. It also had the boost of Magnussen’s pole position in changeable weather in Brazil.
The Moneygram deal means Haas is now able to spend right up to F1’s budget cap limit for the first time.
