Gene Haas has said that his biggest lesson in 2017 has been how "complicated" Formula 1 is.
The American entered the sport this year with a brand new team supported technically by Ferrari and Dallara, and immediately impressed.
However, the second half of the season has been more difficult, beset by technical problems, and Haas told French magazine Auto Hebdo: "I have learned that F1 is infinitely more complicated than I thought".
"The engines and all the systems are complicated, the software is hyper sophisticated, how data is analysed and defining strategies is incredibly complex, and I haven't even mentioned the management of tyres, etc.
"In fact, I have learned that I knew nothing about F1, or almost nothing."
Nonetheless, he said he thinks Haas has performed well for its debut season.
"Overall, the season has been a lot better than we expected," said Haas.
"Despite the difficulties, I must admit I was expecting a more difficult first season.
"Being able to score so early in the season gave us the confidence we needed, and even though the euphoria was short-lived, the points we earned in the first part was the foundation on which we have continued to build from."
Haas sit eighth in the constructors' championship heading into the final three grands prix.
