The Haas mechanics had to work extra shifts again. Mick Schumacher's accident chassis in Monte Carlo could be repaired. A gearbox housing broke again. The new predetermined breaking point is between the transmission and the engine.
Mick Schumacher has already tested the FIA's new safety measures twice this season. From Haas' point of view, the Haas driver delivered two write-offs in Jeddah and Monte Carlo. In both cases, the Haas mechanics were able to repair the damaged safety cells. In retrospect, the accident in Monte Carlo was less bad for the chassis because the speed was around 40 km/h lower.
For the FIA, the minor outcomes of both accidents are proof that the safety measures introduced this season are working. The new rules ensure that the predetermined breaking point moves backwards in the event of heavy impacts. The car no longer breaks apart between the chassis and engine, but between the engine and transmission. This is thanks to the regulation that the bond between the carbon tube and the engine was strengthened to prevent damage to the tank or tank lines, as in the Grosjean accident.
Over half a million dollars in damage
The damage is only slightly cheaper for the teams. A new chassis costs 350,000 euros, a gearbox 200,000. But the gear cases are limited this year. At Schumacher, two out of four are already scrap. That leaves just two for the rest of the season. One was already in use. There are starting place penalties for more than four units.
The damage to the accident car in Monte Carlo is well over half a million euros again. The suspensions, fairing and front and rear wings were also affected. Although Haas is around ten million dollars under its allocated budget cap, the crash account is slowly attacking the development budget. The first major upgrade is supposed to come at the French GP.
There are also concerns on the engine front. Both drivers are already using their second drive unit. Two MGU-Ks broke on Kevin Magnussen's car during practice and the race. There were two different damages. The electric machine from the race should be repairable. At Ferrari there is a suspicion that the impacts on the racetrack are causing the MGU-K too much damage.
Haas has been able to drive with minimal ground clearance since its underbody was stiffened in Barcelona. That increases the downforce. Team boss Guenther Steiner admits: "We can't go any lower. But the cars are fast enough as it is."
