Haas enters 2017 F1 season with all-new VF-17 racer

Despite their first year in the sport, the Haas F1 team managed to gather up 29 points to finish eighth in the constructors title last year. For the 2017 season, the team enters their sophomore year, not just with a new driver, but with a new car as well.

With the drastic rule changes in Formula 1, the Haas F1 team takes on 2017 with the Ferrari-powered VF-17 racer. According to Gunther Steiner, the race car is built from scratch with the pedal box being the only part carried over from last year. The new rules also dictated changes resulted in a more aggressive aerodynamic package for the VF-17.

Like all the Formula 1 cars revealed this year, the VF-17 sports a wider front wing with extra slats and vents for added downforce. Meanwhile, a fin with a forward kink design can be seen on the top pod. The flat floor also has a wider area and incorporates air outlets towards the rear. Speaking of the rear, the diffusers now allow for more adjustability with its new design plus the redesigned rear wing features vents at each winglet.

Last year, Haas debuted in Formula 1 with a strong finish from Romain Grosjean, finishing sixth in the 2016 Austrailian Grand Prix. Despite being the only driver to get points for the team, Grosjean helped make the team the top rookie team in the series. With his performance, Grojean keeps his seat at Haas.

Meanwhile, Esteban Gutierrez exits the team following disagreements with the team which later boiled over during last year's Brazilian Grand Prix. Replacing the Mexican driver is Kevin Magnussen from the Renault F1 Team. Magnussen was Renault's bright spot in their comeback year, scoring seven out of the eight points for the team.