Haas F1

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The Haas team is hoping to have its 2016 Formula 1 driver line-up in place by September ahead of its debut next season.

While team principal Gunther Steiner says Haas - which has secured a technical partnership with Ferrari - is not in a hurry to name its drivers, it does have an internal deadline to get the line-up sorted.

"Our plan is to be clear of talks by August/September and then announce them," Steiner told AUTOSPORT.

"The market is getting clearer and a lot of people are getting into contact with us now, because it's both ways.

"We are in no hurry, because we have to see who is on the market, who is doing good and who wants to move.

"And drivers want to see who we are actually. Now they see more and more that we're doing the right things."

 
Steiner added that while the team is considering American drivers, signing someone with experience in F1 is its priority.

"We are looking at American drivers, but being American doesn't give you an automatic drive," he said.

"If you are good, it's fine. Otherwise if you just pick an American because he's American and you're not successful, it's not good for the driver to start off with.

"It's not good for the team and it's not good for the programme in general, and the country because it is like 'Oh, they cannot get it done.'

"An experienced American would be something different, but there is nobody out there and what we need is somebody who needs to guide us a little bit as well, that we know where we stand.

"We need to have a known factor in this team. The team is new, everything is new, so if you throw in new drivers - if we have a problem we don't know where we got it wrong."

ROSSI WANTS TO PROVE HE IS READY FOR F1

American Alexander Rossi, who is currently driving for Racing Engineering in GP2, has F1 experience having completed Friday practice sessions for Caterham and Marussia.

Speaking about the prospect about Haas joining F1, Rossi told AUTOSPORT: "I'm well aware of Haas coming in next year.

"I think that what will do more than me saying anything is just going out and winning races and being on the podium as much as I can and that'll prove to them that I am ready.

"I know that am ready, but they need the proof so I am more than happy to work towards that and to deliver."

[Chris K. Hale]

I still feel Kurt Busch would kick some butt in F-1 and would be just the right driver to partner, Rossi!!

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I agree with their strategy that they need at least one experienced F1 driver to develop the car. An American in the 2nd car would be nice. I want to see the team develop as fast as possible regardless of who the drivers are.

[Art]

Where do I sign up? 25 years too late I guess...

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And if your like me Art maybe a pound or two over the required weight.

[alterrenner]

I'm kind of torn here: should I go ahead and spend the $13,000 for a Super License and be ready for the call, or should I wait for the call first?
(You know I'm joking, right?)
--Frank

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But think of the return on that $13,000 dollar investment Frank. Hamilton is about to sign a contract with Mercedes that will pay him $40 million a year!

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Gene Haas has a shortlist of 10 drivers he is considering to spearhead his team's entry next year, with the American keen to sign someone "currently competing on the starting grid" in F1.

Haas F1 joins the grid next season but is yet to confirm its driver line-up, though its partnership with engine supplier Ferrari has fuelled speculation about test drivers Jean-Eric Vergne and Esteban Gutierrez. Le Mans 24 Hour winner Nico Hulkenberg is also believed to be a consideration, though the German is also a potential Ferrari signing for 2016 if it does not retain Kimi Raikkonen and cannot sign Valtteri Bottas from Williams.

Haas, whose NASCAR team Stewart-Haas has won two drivers' championships in the stock car series, is in no rush to finalise his line-up but has made it clear F1 experience is vital.

"We have a list of 10 drivers we are watching," Haas told Motorsport.com. "We'll talk to them in particular and we will see what works for us. We definitely want to have drivers who are currently competing on the starting grid, people with experience."

The relationship between Haas and Ferrari has been labelled "very intelligent" by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, with the American outfit using the Maranello wind tunnel to develop its 2016 challenger. That process was deemed perfectly above board during a recent visit by the FIA's Marcin Budkowski.

The precedent set by Haas and Ferrari may well influence future teams wishing to enter the sport, with the FIA recently opening another tender for an additional team to join in 2016 or 2017.

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Two U.S. teams on the F1 grid in 2016?


An investment group headed by race promoter Tavo Hellmund and financier James Carney are hoping to put a second North American team on the grid in 2016.

North Carolina-based Haas F1 is already set to debut in 2016 with a Ferrari technical partnership and engine deal. According to Motorsport.com, Hellmund and New York financier Carney are looking to buy an existing outfit in time for the start of next season.

Hellmund is well-known in F1 circles for developing the Circuit of the Americas track and cut the deal with Bernie Ecclestone to bring the United States Grand Prix back to the calendar in 2012. More recently he has spearheaded the return of the Mexican Grand Prix to the calendar, which takes place this year on November 1 after a 23-year absence.

It is suggested that outfit could be Manor, which was rescued from administration this year by Irish businessman Stephen Fitzpatrick, although this was not confirmed by either party. Manor would seem the most logical choice for a consortium looking to buyout an existing team, with speculation of Lotus being taken over by Renault in time for 2017.

Were a deal to be successful, it would mean two American teams on the grid for next season. Bernie Ecclestone has made little secret of his desire to achieve a breakthrough in the United States and another team on the grid would strengthen the sport's position in the nation further.

Ecclestone is known to be keen on holding a second race in the country to compliment the United States Grand Prix held in Texas. Plans for a race in New Jersey, which would have had the New York skyline as a backdrop, fell through despite being included on provisional calendars for 2013 and 2014.

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Haas shortlist 'down to five'

Gene Haas will choose between "five" drivers when deciding his first F1 line-up with Esteban Gutierrez likely to be one of the two.

Haas F1 will enter the sport next season and the team will be powered by Ferrari as part of a technical partnership with the Scuderia.

There has been a lot of interest surrounding the team's possible line-up with several drivers including Nico Hulkenberg, Alexander Rossi and Gutierrez all linked to the team.

However, for now Haas is saying very little about which way he is leaning.

"We're down to five now, I think," the American told Motorsport.com.

But asked specifically about Gutierrez, a Ferrari test driver, the team owner admitted that the Mexican driver's association with the Italian outfit could benefit him.

"He's a Ferrari reserve driver, so Ferrari would be interested in seeing how he does and it kind of helps both parties.

"We get a driver who Ferrari thinks has a lot of potential and we can see how he does too."

As for when the candidates can expect a decision, Haas said he is willing to wait and see how the driver market plays out.

"In the next four weeks or so, this month is when the real thought-proving, intense decision-making occurs.

"But we're also actually waiting for the current F1 teams to make their decisions before we will. You never know who'll become available.

"It seems like the bigger teams are putting in younger and younger drivers, so some of the more experienced drivers might become available."

[Chris K. Hale]

Haas F1 will become the Ferrari Jr. team much like Torro Rosso is to Red Bull, and Gutierrez will bring sponsorship money from Telemex and its " Richest Man in the World" Owner Carlos Slim.. so it would be a good choice and allow Haas to pick up a more experienced F1 driver. Hulkenberg is doubtful with other contract obligations, but for the right price ? It could be anyone currently on the grid.. I wonder how long until we see the Car? Chris

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I hope they don't go for "pay" driver(s). As tempting as that is for a new team it could really slow their pace of development. I don't see them landing Hulkenberg.

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'Rather good chance' of Haas F1 seat - Jean-Eric Vergne

Jean-Eric Vergne is confident of his chances of landing a seat with Haas F1 for its debut next season and says he is one of three drivers in contention.

Vergne has just been announced as a DS Virgin racing for the upcoming Formula E season, but remains Ferrari's test driver. Vergne raced for three years at Toro Rosso but missed out on the opportunity to move up to Red Bull and was dropped for Max Verstappen ahead of 2015.

With Esteban Gutierrez and Nico Hulkenberg among the names being linked with a drive at the US-based team, Vergne is keeping his options open despite his recent Formula E commitment.

"There are three of us, for two seats," Vergne told Motorsport.com. "Let's say there is a rather good chance for me to end up with Haas. Then, as far as Formula E is concerned, that's too early to talk about it.

"If F1 comes, there will be two clashes. It's way too early to say how that will go. I hope to have that kind of problem to sort out, that would be a good one to have! But today, I am focused on Formula E, and very much as well on my work with Ferrari, which of course pays off to land in the Haas team."

Much like Gutierrez, who is Ferrari reserve driver, Vergne may well benefit from his association with the Italian outfit as it has a technical partnership with Haas ahead of 2016. Vergne also points to his experience at Toro Rosso and how he fared against Daniel Ricciardo, who won three races last year at Red Bull, as reasons he could do a good job at the US team.

"I think [the Ferrari link] is an advantage. Also, because I have worked with a very big team at Red Bull, at a time they were winning absolutely everything. I was a reserve driver and a simulator driver. I learnt a huge lot with them.

"Then came three years with Toro Rosso, where I proved a lot behind the steering wheel. I can't ignore my performances compared to Ricciardo: I beat him in year one. Year two, it was really tight, and today he wins grands prix."

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Ferrari reserve driver will get one Haas Formula 1 team seat

Gene Haas says a Ferrari reserve driver will pilot one of his cars when the Formula 1 newcomer makes its debut next season.



Haas has a technical partnership and engine supply deal with Ferrari for 2016, with the team receiving all 'non-listed' parts from Ferrari as well as using the Scuderia's windtunnel.



While Haas would not be drawn on names, the team owner's comments suggest Ferrari reserve Esteban Gutierrez is set to get a seat.



Ferrari's test driver and former Toro Rosso racer Jean-Eric Vergne is also in contention.



"Hopefully in the next couple of weeks, we'll have something to say," Haas told AUTOSPORT.



"One of the drivers will be a Ferrari reserve driver and we're still looking for an experienced Formula 1 driver, a current driver. No rookies."



Team principal Gunther Steiner added: "We're just trying to find the driver who best suits what we are looking for.



"We would like that both have driven F1 car before.



"One we want with real experience, one who has been through a few years in F1."



McLaren reserve Kevin Magnussen and Lotus racer Romain Grosjean are understood to be on Haas's list, which has been slimmed down to below the previously indicated 10 names after Nico Hulkenberg re-signed with Force India.



Haas admitted the driver recruitment process in F1 was a learning experience, adding his outfit had made an offer to a driver that was declined.



"It is a process," said Haas. "It's about going back and forth and just learning how to dance with the different drivers and working out who is going to be with us.



"We did make an offer to one driver, which was declined.



"It's a learning experience."

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Renault Sport's Cyril Abiteboul has revealed that Romain Grosjean will join the new Haas F1 Team next season.

Grosjean's contract with Lotus runs until the end of the 2015 season, but the Enstone squad are facing an uncertain future with Renault reportedly on the verge of taking the team over and running it as a works outfit next year.

The Frenchman, though, has been linked with a move to the American-based Haas F1 and he admitted during Thursday's press conference in Singapore that he had made a decision about his future, but is not yet ready to make it public.

However, Renault Sport F1 managing director Abiteboul got ahead of him as he confirmed to French channel Canal that Grosjean will join Haas F1 ahead of the 2016 season.

Haas F1 have previously admitted that they will opt for one of Esteban Gutierrez or Jean-Eric Vergne, who are both Ferrari reserves this year, and another experienced driver.

I think Gutierrez will get the 2nd seat.