Guenther Steiner reckons one of the best things introduced to Formula 1 in recent years was the summer shutdown, with engineers and mechanics all being forced to take some time off to refresh their batteries.
This years shutdown will start not long after the conclusion of the post-Hungarian Grand Prix test next week, which Steiner’s Haas F1 Team will not be participating in, but the team principal feels this year’s break is even more important after a run of six races in eight weekends.
“I think this year, more than ever before, it is quite important,” said Steiner. “You’re not allowed to work, so you don’t try to do anything.
“The shutdown is one of the best things F1 has done because people have something to look forward to in the middle of the season. Otherwise, it’s a never-ending drill.
“Everyone is putting the last little effort in before the summer shutdown, and then they go for two weeks and, normally, we all come back a little refreshed. I think it’s important, and I also look forward to it.”
Steiner says the third-year team are more prepared for the break, and they will be ready and organised when it comes to the double-header that follows it at Spa-Francorchamps and the Autodromo Nazionale Monza.
“We are now in our third year,” said Steiner. “We are well prepared, well organized. The guys strip the cars, get everything ready, so when they come back after shutdown, they just need to put the car together again.
“The engineers, they do all the post-work after the race before they go on shutdown, then they start again as soon as it’s over to prepare for Spa.”
