F1: Haas F1 Snubs Young American Talent

[Chris]

In a recent interview with Formula1.com, Guenther Steiner has stated that there are currently no American drivers "out there at the moment" who could potentially fill a race seat at Haas F1 for the 2016 Formula One season.

The American outfit hopes to make their debut for the 2016 season, but are still in the process of securing the right drivers for their particular situation. It's no secret that Steiner has been trying to sign a more experienced driver line up for their first year in the sport as a matter of safety, however, as Max Vestappen and Carlos Sainz Jr. have proven so far this season, betting on young talent can pay off handsomely. However, at this stage it appears that Steiner doesn't feel this is the safest route for their first year in the sport.

When asked about the importance of getting an American driver onboard, Steiner said, "There is nobody out there at the moment. Yes, there are drivers in GP2 and Formula Three, but having a rookie in a new team… that is difficult for both sides. The potential of such a partnership failing is pretty high. So at the moment we’d rather not be looking at that avenue, because you are also not helping an inexperienced driver - he could be burned in one season. We are new, so we need a known quantity in the team."

Alex Rossi is performing well in GP2 this year, but is reportedly not what Haas F1 are looking for at the present moment. ​

This quote from Steiner must be a tough pill to swallow for young GP2 driver Alexander Rossi, who has turned many-a-head this season amidst the domination of GP2 courtesy of Stoffel Vandoorne. Rossi, a former reserve driver for Caterham and Marussia has only driven in a few official Formula One Practice sessions, was tipped to be one of the more likely candidates for a Haas F1 seat given his nationality in order to help Formula One gain more traction in the US with the combination of an American driver in an American team. But with the ever changing landscape that is Formula One, this looks to have fallen through.

Do you think Haas F1 should gamble on untamed rookie talent as has happened with Toro Rosso? Or do you agree with their current approach of taking a safer pair of hands with more experience for their debut season?

 

[The Angry Hamster]

1) Poll answer is confusing given the way the question is stated.
2) Title is click-bait-tastic

Steiner is just saying the same things both he and Haas have been saying since they first started getting these questions. They want experienced drivers as they build the team for the first year or two before they entertain the possibility of involving any rookies. It makes sense and they have the funds to get good, experienced drivers into the team who can, hopefully, tell them how the car compares, where it lacks, what they could actually do to improve it. etc. A rookie will not be able to compare the car to anything other than the lower formula cars. As nice as it would be to have an American driver in an American team it is not, and never has been, a necessity. I'd rather see Haas F1 build a good mid-field team (or better) over a few years instead of getting rookies, or worse pay drivers, and becoming another Caterham or Marussia.

 

[Chris]

1) Poll answer is confusing given the way the question is stated.

Apologies, fixed.

an American driver in an American team it is not, and never has been, a necessity

It's not a necessity, nor does the article imply that it is. It's because they're an American outfit, the leading questions have been "will they have an American driver to go with it". If they rocked up to COTA next season as an American team, with an American driver, the ticket sales would increase massively.

 

[Andy 'Mars Bar' Graham]

Jeez Haas haven't tried very hard to find some American talent. If you look across the pond, you have talented guys like Newgarden and Andretti and Hunter Raey while you have Rossi racing in Europe and doing well. Even Tveter has shown signs of improvement in F3. Who's to say an experienced line up will be any goold. Guiterrez ain't exactly world class and he isn't a bundle of experience

 

[Chris]

I personally think Gutierrez would be a smart choice for their first season. Sure, he's not a star of the future (at least that we know of), but he has more experience in a formula one car than the vast majority of the other young prospects in Europe, and a load more than anything over the pond. Gutierrez also brings a sizable backing thanks to Carlos Slim.

Plus it's a logical connection given that he's currently a test driver for Ferrari, and Haas will be essentially a customer Ferrari team.

 

[Tim.E]

Wow that's a shocker. Would've guessed they went for Rossi or Gutierrez

 

[BoogerMac]

I figured Rossi was a shoe-in for the position. Does anyone know who they offered a contract to last month? Obviously it was turned down, but I haven't seen the name anywhere. The only person I can think of is Nico Hulkenberg, who recently re-signed with Force India.

Here's an article with some more info on the subject: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/120728

 

[InsaneOzzie]

Maybe HAAS just wants to better it's chances of podiums not problems for their rookie season in the F1 paddock. Once established, they'll probably grab Rossi, if he's still available that is.

 

[InsaneOzzie]

It's Mark Webber

 

[ARG1980]

Kevin Magnussen

 

[Bram Hengeveld]

I think Haas should go for Max Chilton. He has the much needed experience to drive at the back of the field with an inferior car, showing amazing rear view mirror skills.

Unless the team gets a huge sponsor, an American engine manufacturer or a top (development) driver on board, I fear this will be just another Caterham or HRT that gets introduced with a lot of hype and vanishes down the road.

 

[Milos]

an American engine manufacturer

no way, see what happened with Honda. It has to be either Merc or Ferrari.

 

[Darren Bentley]

I fear this will be just another Caterham or HRT that gets introduced with a lot of hype and vanishes down the road.

HRT never had any hype, Caterham did and was going to be the successful one of the three then 2013 happened, but HRT and HYPE, NEVER EVER! Went together Bram

 

[Richard Eriksson]

Good strategy for year one if they have the financial backing to support it.

Then get Rossi. That guy deserves it. Im a massive fan of his style in GP2. He is tough but clean. Very fast...

 

[the_sigman]

Good strategy for year one if they have the financial backing to support it.

Then get Rossi. That guy deserves it. Im a massive fan of his style in GP2. He is tough but clean. Very fast...

Αgree. He needs one year more in GP2 to work on his tyre management.

 

[Blotto]

set the foundation and let it harden. dont build on a setting foundation.

Go with experience the first year or two and then once the foundation has been set and people are ok in their positions go for the talent. After all wasting talent isnt good either and could cause further problems beyond a cracking foundation.

I would suggest paul tracy because I miss eddie jordan.

 

[Ho3n3r]

No "undecided" option. Undecided because it's their team and they can pick and choose whoever they like/can afford.

 

[fortyfivekev]

Unfortunately, the only thing more expensive than running an F1 team is setting up an F1 team. I bet if Rossi bought a big budget then he'd be in the car yesterday regardless of experience. They could always get an experienced guy for the other seat anyway.

 

[Chris]

Unfortunately, the only thing more expensive than running an F1 team is setting up an F1 team.

I hear space missions are fairly expensive

 

[Rick18]

I think they should have Rossi along with a more experienced driver.