Nico Hülkenberg and Haas aiming for points at 2024 F1 Canadian Grand Prix

After a strong qualifying session a year ago, Nico Hülkenberg and Haas are looking for bigger things this year in Montreal

Saturday at the 2023 Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix was perhaps the high point of the year for Haas.

Now the team is hoping to build on that and deliver an even bigger performance at this season’s installment.

During qualifying for the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix Nico Hülkenberg delivered a stunning performance, putting his VF-23 on the front row alongside pole sitter Max Verstappen. It was a tremendous result for the team, as it gave Haas a chance to turn that performance into perhaps a massive Sunday result.

However, the excitement was short-lived. Hülkenberg was hit with a three-place grid drop for failing to slow down during a red flag, and he ended up starting the race fifth. Add to that the team’s severe tire degradation issues, and Haas left Montreal empty handed.

Now the driver, and the team, are hoping improved tire wear issues — coupled with another strong Saturday — could add up to a much different result in Canada this year.

“I love Montreal and it’s probably my favorite track on the calendar. I love where it is on the little island, the drive into the circuit in the morning, and the atmosphere in Montreal. It gets me every year and I just really enjoy it here,” said Hülkenberg in the team’s media preview.

“The circuit has a very cool flow, even though it’s pretty flat – it doesn’t have elevation changes – but the rhythm of the track is very unique and hits the spot for me. Last year was very positive, especially the Saturday, as Sunday we just weren’t competitive and slipped back,” added Hülkenberg. “I look forward to hitting the track and this year we’re in a much better position and we should be able to translate a good qualifying into a race result.”

Teammate Kevin Magnussen echoed Hülkenberg’s feelings on Montreal.

“Montreal is another great track and another classic I’d say, although it doesn’t have the history of Monaco or Monza, for example. It’s definitely a driver’s track as well, flying over the kerbs and braking late into the chicanes,” described Magnussen. “It’s great racing there with good opportunities for overtaking, and overall, it’s just a great place to go. The city is awesome, the food, hotels, and the fans – I’ve got nothing bad to say! I don’t think I’ve ever had a fantastic weekend there yet though, so I’m aiming for that this season.”

Team Principal Ayao Komatsu believes the characteristics of Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve should open the door to points for the team this weekend.

“Montreal is a pretty unique circuit, it’s a street circuit. It’s got lots of low speed corners, change of direction and it’s quite unforgiving for making mistakes as well,” started Komatsu in the team’s preview. “The downforce level is lower than some of the other tracks, so combining that with characteristics of the VF-24, I think it’s good that there’s a lack of high-speed corners because that’s clearly our weakness.

“In low-speed, car balance is key, so we need to get that right. In terms of downforce level, I think we’re more competitive in lower downforce circuits so far this year than higher downforce, because of the efficiency of the car we’ve got so I think that’s another positive,” continued the Haas boss. “The main takeaway is that yes, Montreal is quite a specific circuit with the layout and downforce level, the high demand on the brakes, low speed and change of direction, but having said that, with what we’ve seen over the last eight races with the robustness of the car, I think we can fight for points.”

That fight begins in earnest with two practice sessions on Friday.