Haas team boss Guenther Steiner has outlined that the target for its rookie drivers at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix is simply to gather experience of the unique event.
Formula 1 is returning to Monaco after a year’s absence and it will be the first street circuit to feature in the championship since the start of the pandemic.
It will be the first experience of a street circuit in Formula 1 machinery for Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin, though both competed at the Circuit de Monaco in Formula 2 in 2019.
Haas has so far competed at the rear of the pack in 2021, and has opted against developing its VF-21 in order to focus its resources on Formula 1’s new regulatory cycle next year, meaning the target for its drivers this weekend is to gather experience.
“Regarding the briefing – stay out of the walls and off the barriers, that’s what we’ll let them know,” said Steiner on specific Monaco advice for Haas’ drivers.
“Once you’re in the barriers in Monaco, your session is lost. You cannot get the car back and it’s normally pretty damaged anyway.
“The challenge is big. It’s a very tight circuit, it’s obviously a street circuit, and you’ve got lots of people watching – everything you don’t want on a race like this.
“On the other side, you do want it though, that’s why we’re doing it.
“There should be little pressure on the drivers there as we know our performance. They should be looking at the race just to gain experience so when they return with a better car they’ll have learned how to deal with Monaco – which is obviously a very special race in the Formula 1 calendar.”
Steiner added that both Schumacher and Mazepin are settling in well to their new environment after the opening four rounds.
“At the moment we’re very happy with how they’re getting along with the team,” he said.
“You can always get better, but we’re at a very good point, and the relationships with the people they work directly with are improving – they’ve started off on a good foot and it’s just a work in progress.
“There are a lot of people working in a Formula 1 team and the drivers need to get to know them better, especially the people that work directly with them. Up to now though it’s been very positive progress.”
