Haas target strong finish in Saudi Arabia

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has highlighted the distinctive challenges his team will face at the upcoming Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, describing the Jeddah circuit as a "unique challenge" requiring specific technical adjustments.

High-speed street circuit demands precision

"Jeddah offers the unique challenge of a high-speed street circuit with little margin for driving error,"

Komatsu explained in the team's race preview. The technical nature of the track requires significant modifications to the car's setup compared to previous races this season.

The team will implement a lower drag configuration to maximize performance on Jeddah's fast straights.

"We will be typically running lower drag settings compared to the circuits we've been to so far this year, so how we stabilise the car and get the tyres to work with such a low drag configuration will be key," Komatsu noted.

Bearman returns to site of F1 debut

For rookie driver Oliver Bearman, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix marks a significant milestone.

The circuit holds special significance as the site of his Formula 1 debut last year when he substituted for an ill Carlos Sainz at Ferrari.

"I'm very excited to return to Jeddah, it's the first repeat race of my career which is pretty cool,"

Bearman commented.

"Having had the experience of last year was very nice and helpful and was a highlight of my life so far, having my debut with Ferrari, that track will always hold a special place in my heart."

The British driver's impressive points-scoring debut helped secure his current full-time seat with the American team for the 2025 season.

Performance predictions remain uncertain

Despite the team's strong start to the 2025 season, Komatsu remains cautious about making specific performance predictions for the Saudi race.

"It's difficult to predict exactly how the VF-25 will perform in Jeddah, but we've been getting maximum out of it in recent races," he said.

Haas currently sits fifth in the constructors' championship with 20 points, a promising position for the American outfit.

Esteban Ocon has contributed 14 points while rookie Bearman has added 6 points in the opening four races of the season.

Closing out the triple-header

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix represents the final race in the season's first triple-header, a demanding stretch for the entire team.

Komatsu acknowledged the strain these consecutive race weekends place on personnel both at the track and at their factories.

The team principal remains optimistic, however, stating they're "looking to carry over this momentum and finish the first triple-header of the season on a high."

Bearman's enthusiasm for the high-speed nature of the Jeddah circuit could prove beneficial for the team.

"Even before my Formula 1 debut, I really enjoyed driving around Jeddah because of its high-speed nature, and the thrill of driving at such speeds between the walls," the young driver shared.

With their new driver lineup finding early success and the team's technical direction yielding positive results, Haas appears well-positioned to continue their promising start to the 2025 campaign.