Haas seeking greater independence from Ferrari

Haas, whose design office is located in Ferrari's Maranello complex, are looking to attain greater independence from Ferrari in the coming years.


Haas seeking greater independence from Ferrari

Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner

For the first time since its introduction, Haas will finally be able to reach (or get near) the budget cap in 2023, as per Guenther Steiner. This will be facilitated through their sponsorship with MoneyGram. They also have another ‘partnership’, with Ferrari, who serve as their engine supplier. Haas’ supposed dependence on the Maranello team has often been discussed. But it allowed them to stay alive (and sometimes be competitive) on a relatively small budget.

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Their strategy rested on one particular thing: Especially in the early years, they brought as many non-listed parts (or transferrable components) as possible from Ferrari. This is legal as no intellectual property is transferred in this process. Another curious aspect of this partnership is that while the team is headquartered in Kannapolis (in the US, and a ‘forward base’ in Banbury, England), their design office is located in Ferrari’s Maranello complex. Clearly a far-reaching collaboration.

Now, Haas want more independence from Ferrari – by doing more things themselves. In conversation with Auto Motor und Sport, their team principal Guenther Steiner said: “We are able to independently develop transmissions, suspension and be a more independent team. We first thought about it back in 2018 and I even prepared a plan of action. We should have reached that goal within a couple of years, but in 2020 a pandemic happened which put us back a long way.”

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Of course, mid-pandemic, they had to consider survival: Not progress. He added: “We had to think about how to survive in the current conditions instead. At that moment there was no time for autonomy. Now we are again thinking about how to be less dependent. Let’s see what will happen in the new season and then decide. But I think that in two or three years it will be quite possible.”

Read More: Guenther Steiner wants to “stabilize” the Haas F1 team model in spite of the budget cap

Guenther Steiner: Money ‘no longer the limit’ for Haas

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner
Haas team principal Guenther Steiner

Haas’ financial status (and the fact that they’re a customer team) meant that they would never be in a position to compete at the top. But the introduction of the budget cap has ensured that they will be in a better position in the future. Now, with the MoneyGram sponsorship, they will be able to reach the budget cap, so the results should improve accordingly. On this, Guenther Steiner said: “We can get to the lid this year. This year (in 2022), as I said, a few million were missing.”

He added: “This year (2023), you can also develop more because a couple last year (went in to) have completely new regulations and new car, and we had to buy everything new and you spend a lot of money doing that. We can (do) just more in these exactly the same (budget figures) as the other teams and (that) should be possible. I always tell my engineers ‘now money is no longer the limit, but talent, your talent.’ It’s all about talent now, not money.”

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It’ll definitely be interesting to see how it goes for Haas in 2023, now that they can reach the budget cap. The budget cap will continue to bunch up the field, so an upturn in performance can be expected, even though it’s not guaranteed. Their goal to get more independence from Ferrari is also another thing to look out for, as there’s no guarantee it will make them a better team. Nonetheless, it’s an important step.

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