F1: Haas sets date for 2016 car fire-up

Formula 1 newcomer Haas is on course to fire up its car for the first time later this month.

The American team's challenger is currently with chassis provider Dallara in Italy being assembled ahead of its full unveiling and on-track debut in the first test at Barcelona's Catalunya circuit on Feb. 22. A week beforehand it is planned for the car, complete with Ferrari power unit, to roar into life.

"Fire-up is planned for the 15th," team principal Gunther Steiner (LEFT) said. "It's all about milestones now. One of those milestones we recently passed was the crash tests. That was good. It gave confidence to the engineering team.

"Fire-up will be the next significant milestone in Haas' history. Then it will be about getting the car on the track for the first time, then a first race start. But fire-up for me is a big one. It's exciting, one of those things you look forward to."

For drivers Romain Grosjean and Esteban Gutierrez, they will reach their own personal milestone next week with their seat fittings.

"They are in the phase of getting ready physically for the championship," added Steiner. "They're in the simulator, but it all starts with the seat fit, which is next week. They get a seat and then they go racing. That's when it all starts to become real."

Given the long lead time for Haas in preparing for F1 after securing an entry in April 2014, while there have been obvious hurdles to overcome, Steiner sees no major issues looming ahead of the Feb. 22 bow.

"We are at a good point," confirmed Steiner. "There is a problem a day as the cars are highly complicated, as everybody knows, but we're racers and we're good at solving them. We're at that stage where the car is continuously being assembled now, with most of the parts built, so it's all about putting it together.

"But we'll be at the first test, no doubt, rolling the car out on the Monday morning. That is the plan. At the moment I don't see why not."

Steiner is also relaxed when it comes to the role Ferrari has so far played, and will continue to play in the build up to the car taking to the track.

"Ferrari has been very good with the power unit, but we are not their first customer. They've been doing it a long time," said Steiner. "They add a lot of value because they have done it so many times before. It's a process, and they know exactly what they need. Their engineers tell us what is required to start up the engine, and that comes from experience in providing power units to clients.

"I don't think that will be a problem. Maybe something won't work, some software, but you fix it and you start it up. It's the same old story."

Originally on Autosport.com