Steiner believes Haas is ‘here to stay’

Michelle Foster

Good news for Haas fans, Guenther Steiner does not believe Gene Haas will be pulling the plug on the F1 project any time soon.

Haas entered Formula 1 in 2016, taking an impressive eighth place in the championship which they repeated a year later.

2018 the American team recorded a career high of fifth but fell to ninth last season as they missed the mark with the VF-19.

The 2019 season also saw Haas publicly mocked by title sponsor Rich Energy’s CEO as Williams Storey seems to lose the plot himself.

Making headlines for all the wrong reasons, Haas eventually parted ways with Rich Energy which means this year Haas Automotive will once again be footing the F1 bill.

This has led to Haas owner, Gene Haas, making it clear he won’t remain in Formula 1 if the results don’t improve.

“I’m just kind of waiting to see how this season starts off,” he told Autosport back in March.

“If it starts off strong then maybe there’s a possibility that we can continue. But if we have another bad year, then it would not be that favourable.”

Since that statement Formula 1 has found itself in the midst of a crisis as the 2020 season has yet to get underway and teams are losing millions with every race missed.

This has led to an agreement to reduce the 2021 budget cap to $150m while there is also talk of a further reduction.

That, Steiner says, would appeal to Haas and perhaps ensure the team’s future.

“I think we are here to stay,” he said in the latest Sky Sports Vodcast.

“For sure we have to see out this scenario but if we can get in what the plan is now [18 races], we are good for the year.

“I’m in touch with Gene almost every day, he wants to be involved with what is happening, and he seems to be in a good place.

“We just need to be diligent. The budget cap, all this brings the teams together and being competitive will help. So I think we are here to stay.”

He added: “If we find solutions for the mid and long-term [then Gene Haas] is happy.

“We need to come up with solutions which I think we are. If we do he wants to keep on going racing.”

Follow us on Twitter @Planet_F1 and like our Facebook page.