F1 News: Haas To Take Advantage Of New Rule For Maximized Testing On 2024 Car

Sporting Regulations for 2024 have been changed to allow teams more track time for filming.

The Haas F1 team is set to take advantage of the new rule under the FIA's sporting regulations that allows Formula 1 cars more track time on filming days. Earlier, the distance allowed for 'Promotional Events', before the pre-season testing in Bahrain was 200 km. Now though, the distance has been doubled, which allows the teams more track time to test various parameters on their new title contenders. 

The American team has revealed its strategic approach to filming days, aiming to gather extensive data on its 2024 car despite the primary purpose being promotional. While the session allows showcasing the car on the track on filming days, strict regulations prohibit any additional driving until the official pre-testing period.

Haas aims to pull its socks up much earlier this season to set things straight, as it concluded the 2023 season by finishing last in the Constructors' Standings. One major decision the team took last week was to promote trackside engineering director Ayao Komatsu to the team principal role after the ousting of former team boss Guenther Steiner on performance grounds. 

Haas Press Image

Until last year, the teams were allowed to drive their new cars for 200 kilometers on filming days, but the session was split into two. However, it was allowed to finish both sessions of 100 kilometers each on a single filming day. 

But, Article 10.4 of the sporting regulations for 2024 has doubled the total distance to 400 kilometers, with teams now being allowed to drive up to 200 kilometers in a single session. But, the catch is that the teams won't be allowed to complete both sessions on a single filming day. 

Moreover, to restrict teams from gathering information about the tires and focus solely on their cars, 'special tires' will be employed during the filming days. While other teams might seek to exploit this new rule, Haas is the first to announce its intention to do so by utilizing both of its allocated filming days.

Consequently, the team's 2024 championship contender will undergo testing at the Silverstone circuit on the initial filming day, scheduled for February 11. The second session is slated for February 19 in Bahrain.