Romain Grosjean believes that the Haas F1 Team has considerably matured in its second F1 season, and now performs on a more consistent basis.
The US outfit acquitted itself well in its maiden year of Grand Prix racing. It's impressive start was followed by the inevitable teething problems facing any F1 newcomer.
But the team learned and applied its knowledge to consolidate its foundation this year, growing its performance in the process as a consistent mid-field contender.
Haas has accumulated to date 29 points in the Constructors' standings, a tally it had on its books at the end of 2016.
"It’s been a very good feeling" says Grosjean.
"We’ve achieved quite a lot compared to last year. Same amount of points, without the failure in Melbourne we would have six or eight more points so we are in a good place.
"The team is growing up, we’ve shown that in the year two where everyone was expecting us to dived down, we have actually stepped up our game so very pleased with that.
"As far as I am hoping and what we are getting since I signed back in 2015."
In-season development has also pushed the team's VF-17 forward in its fierce battle with its mid-field rivals.
"We are on target with our expectations," says the Frenchman.
"We wanted to fight in the midfield, we sometimes we are ahead, sometimes we are a bit behind.
"Hopefully here we are in more of the Austrian position than we were in Silverstone, but you never know.
"I think generally there are a lot more things we can improve and there is lot more room for improvement in the team which is great to know because we are not fully at 100 percent potential."
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