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Haas would not see Andretti’s involvement in Formula 1 as a threat


Haas would not see Andretti's involvement in Formula 1 as a threat

Haas was the first American team to compete in Formula 1 since 1986 when it entered the grid in 2016 after NASCAR team co-owner Gene Haas formed a new start-up squad.

But Haas could be supported by another American racing brand in the near future as Andretti Autosport closes a controlling stake in Sauber, who runs the Alfa Romeo F1 team.

Andretti has been interested in getting involved in Formula 1 for some time, as it wants to add to a racing portfolio that already extends to IndyCar, Indy Lights, Formula E, Extreme E and Supercars.

Ahead of the US Grand Prix in Austin, Haas F1 team principal Gunther Steiner downplayed the influence of another American team that may be on the grid, saying the US identity wasn’t one that really pushed the team forward.

“I don’t see anyone as a threat, we have no problem with that, no matter where the team is from,” said Steiner.

“But I think what we didn’t do, we didn’t use the American market, the sponsorship market, as well as we should, because otherwise we would have more Americans.” [logos] in the car.

“Everything has to be American all of a sudden, and it all sounds like America, but I think there are other countries too.

Günther Steiner, Team Principal, Haas F1

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

“Because Austin is there now, the focus is very much on that. But nobody knocked on our door with a big sponsorship and said because we’re Americans we’re going to do this, or that’s why we’re going to support an American driver.

“This game has no magic. And whatever happens, not much is going to change. So there is a lot of talk at the moment, but we have to go now. “

Despite its headquarters in Kannapolis, North Carolina, Haas also has bases for its F1 team in the UK and Italy. Its title sponsor Uralkali is Russian and has never fielded an American driver.

When asked if Andretti had ever approached him about a deal with Haas, Steiner replied, “I don’t know what Michael is doing, to be honest.

“I talked to Michael” [Andretti] a few times. Honestly, not recently.

“I don’t know what Michael is trying to do. Everyone knows each other in American racing, and there may have been discussions, but perhaps not as specifically as you might think. “

The post Haas would not see Andretti’s involvement in Formula 1 as a threat first appeared on monter-une-startup.