F1 News: Haas To Form Closer Bond With Ferrari - "Need To Be Closer"
In a strategic move, Haas F1 Team plans to strengthen its partnership with Ferrari, as confirmed by team owner Gene Haas. This closer collaboration is seen as a key step for Haas to advance in the competitive field of Formula 1.
Key Takeaways:
- Enhanced Partnership: Haas, led by owner Gene Haas, aims to intensify its relationship with Ferrari to improve its standings in Formula 1. This move follows the trend of other teams like AlphaTauri and Red Bull tightening their bonds.
- Historical Significance: The alliance with Ferrari has been pivotal for Haas since its F1 debut in 2016, playing a crucial role in the team's early successes. However, recent seasons have seen a decline in performance, making a stronger partnership with Ferrari a strategic necessity.
- Future Prospects: With the anticipated departure of Sauber from Ferrari's power units, Haas is poised to become Ferrari's primary customer. This unique position could offer advantages but also brings challenges, as Haas seeks to narrow the performance gap with Ferrari.
Since its debut in the Formula 1 World Championship in 2016, the American team Haas has experienced fluctuating fortunes. Initially, their alliance with Ferrari, the renowned Maranello-based outfit, yielded promising results. Haas quickly emerged as a competitive force, frequently finishing in the top eight. This success, however, was partially attributed to the struggles of other teams like McLaren and Williams, who faced financial constraints.
Despite a strong start, Haas's performance has declined in recent years, highlighted by the controversial signing of Nikita Mazepin. This move underscored the team's financial difficulties and coincided with a general dip in on-track results. Recognising these challenges, Gene Haas has articulated a clear vision for the future.
Central to this strategy is a deeper collaboration with Ferrari:
"I think the competition is going to be very intense, so having a partner like Ferrari is going to be very important," Haas explained.
He emphasised the necessity of being more competitive and closely aligned with Ferrari, especially considering Sauber's impending departure from Ferrari power units.
"We're very happy to stay with Ferrari. I hope we can help them in terms of reliability,” he added, stressing the need for improvement. "But we have got to do better. We can’t be running so far behind Ferrari. We need to be closer to them.”
However, this approach is not without its critics. The unique partnership model, similar to that of AlphaTauri with Red Bull, has its advantages but also raises questions about its efficacy.
But While AlphaTauri's tighter relationship with the Milton Keynes squad has yielded successful results in 2023, Haas has been left in the dark without the money to turn on the lights.