The following is HaasF1's countdown to the season opening Australian Grand Prix which will get underway at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne next weekend....
- Jan. 12: VF-17 passes FIA-mandated crash test and sea freight leaves for Australia.
- Jan. 20 and Jan. 23: Magnussen in simulator.
- Feb. 9-10: Grosjean in simulator.
- Feb. 8: Grosjean has seat fitting.
- Feb. 9: Magnussen has seat fitting.
- Feb. 20: Magnussen in simulator.
- Feb. 21: At 4:45 p.m. CET, successful fire-up of the car’s engine – the Ferrari 062.
- Feb. 22: Haas F1 Team sets up at Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya for preseason testing.
- Feb. 25: The VF-17 turns its wheels for the first time at Barcelona with Grosjean at the helm. The installation lap around the 4.655-kilometer (2.89-mile), 16-turn circuit comes during the team’s production day.
- Feb. 26: The VF-17 publicly debuts via a digital launch on the team’s social media platforms and website.
- Feb. 27: First day of preseason testing at Barcelona. Magnussen completes 51 laps with a best time of 1:22.894.
- March 1: Grosjean takes wheel of the VF-17 for the first time in preseason testing at Barcelona. He completes 56 laps with a best time of 1:22.118.
- March 6: Sea freight arrives at Albert Park Circuit.
- March 10: Preseason testing at Barcelona ends. Haas F1 Team logs a total of 715 laps (1,717.695 kilometers/1,067.326 miles) during the eight days of track time spread over 12 days (Feb. 27-March 2, March 7-10). This is 241 more laps (1,121.855 kilometers/697.088 miles) than the total logged by Haas F1 Team in 2016.
- March 16: Air freight packed up and sent to Australia.
- March 18: Cars and equipment arrive at Albert Park Circuit.
