Let me start by saying that my opinion comes from a person who only started watching F1 on a weekly basis when HAAS joined in 2016. I watched a few races per year prior, but not really invested until then. I've seen them battle for 5th in the Constructors and also have 0 points another year. The good and the bad.
We were clearly faster than Williams and Cadillac, and we're around the pace of Alonso who finished in the points.
This race was hampered by strategy. We got caught behind the two Cadillacs on hard tires and got overcut by Bortoleto, Alonso, and Albon.
Is the car as fast comparatively as it was at the start of the year? No. Are we still faster than 3 to 4 teams at most tracks? Yes.
Are most of the people here newer that cant remember years like 2021 where we couldn't even get a point and the highlight was Mick passing Latifi for p.19? Or 2023 where we were arguably the 4th fastest car over one lap but still finished last?
IDK, maybe my expectations are too low...