Haas F1 driver Nikita Mazepin has said that he is confident the American racing outfit will be fighting for points at “some point” next year.
The team currently have the least competitive car on the grid after they decided not to develop their 2020 package and instead focused their resources on 2022, when sweeping regulation changes will be introduced.
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Mazepin said that he is trying to manage his expectations and is wary of the fact that every other Formula 1 team will be looking to improve next year.
“I try to be more conservative with my thoughts, with my ambitions, because you need to put in maximum effort and then make sure your expectations are not too high,” Mazepin said.
“Sometimes, if you set your expectations too high, you try too hard and then you end up with worse results.
“I think it’s never going to be easy because the other nine teams in the grid, they are not sleeping as well.
“Everyone wants to get those points and get those constructor positions. It’s really difficult but I’m sure we’ll be better than this year. That’s the aim.
“I’m sure we will be fighting for points at some point,” he added.
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Haas currently sit at the bottom of the Constructors’ Standings, and team principal Guenther Steiner believes they have little chance of moving up the table following Williams scoring their first points of the season in Hungary.
“They are very small,” Steiner replied when asked by Speedweek of Haas’ chances of scoring points this season.
“Williams didn’t expect this blessing in terms of points, but they did a good job and were in the right place at the right time [in Budapest].
“That’s how it goes in racing sometimes. That’s why I always say you always have to do your best.
“They were ready when there was a few points up for grabs and that’s why they were able to strike. But I’m not betting on that happening to us,” he concluded.
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