Haas F1 Team owner and team boss, Gene Haas. [Photo courtesy of Haas F1]

A year ago, Haas F1 debuted in the FIA Formula One World Championship, the first American F1 team in 30 years. Now, it prepares for its sophomore season, aiming to advance past its eighth-place finish in the 2016 constructor standings.

In 2016, the rookie team got off to a dream start scoring points in its first two races, courtesy of experienced French driver Romain Grosjean. The last time any F1 team scored points on its debut was way back in 2002 when Mika Salo finished sixth for Toyota at the Australian Grand Prix.

As the season-long development race began to take its toll the results slowed, but the squad still managed to finish the year an impressive eighth in the 2016 constructor's championship, ahead of Renault, Sauber, and the now defunct Manor.