Gene Haas has opened up on his team’s partnership with Ferrari.
It’s been yet another busy day of F1 news with the shock of Guenther Steiner’s Haas exit still sinking in.
With questions raised over the direction of his team, owner Gene Haas has reacted to speculation that he could be looking to sell the team – to Andretti, maybe? – with Steiner’s fellow departee Simone Resta also tipped for a new role.
No time to waste, so let’s rush through today’s fast-paced round-up…
Gene Haas has made it clear he is not willing to sell his team, reaffirming his commitment and intention to stay in the sport for the next decade.
The departures of team principal Guenther Steiner and Simone Resta have raised major questions over Haas’s trajectory in F1, with fellow American outfit Andretti – keen to secure an F1 entry – mentioned as potential suitors should Haas choose to walk away.
However, Mr Haas has issued a firm response to suggestions that he may seek a way out…
Read more: Andretti buy-out option blow as Haas send firm F1 future message
Eyebrows were raised last year when a consortium of American investors, including Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds, acquired a 24 per cent stake in the Alpine F1 team.
As the reverberations of Haas’s week continue, Mr Haas has revealed that he – as the owner of the only American team on the F1 grid currently – was approached too.
“We have had outside investors come in, and they wanted to talk to us,” he said.
Read more: Why Gene Haas turned away massive investment bid… to Alpine’s gain
Steiner’s departure from Haas came just months after he sat down with PlanetF1.com’s Thomas Maher for an exclusive interview at the British Grand Prix.
He spoke about all matter of topics – including, as it happened, the prospect of leaving the team one day.
How fascinating to read back over these words now: “If the moment [to leave] comes tomorrow, I’m fine. I have no regrets.”
Read more: Exclusive: Guenther Steiner’s ‘no regrets’ mindset over leaving Haas and F1 future hint
Long before he became a star of stage, screen and bookshelf as Haas F1 team boss, Steiner was involved in the early development of Red Bull’s Formula 1 project.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has revealed why Steiner was moved on, featuring a remarkable parallel to his departure from Haas.
“Guenther was and is a character but it was obvious he was not a technical leader,” Horner said.
Read more: Christian Horner recalls nudging Guenther Steiner towards Red Bull exit door
While Steiner’s next move remains unclear, fellow departee Resta has been tipped to rejoin Ferrari.
Resta’s exit sparked a day of sweeping change for Haas on Wednesday, with the end of Steiner’s 10-year reign as team principal confirmed just hours later.
Having switched between Ferrari and customer teams Alfa Romeo and Haas over recent years, it has been reported that Resta will now return to Maranello following the end of his loan spell at Haas – but will play no role in the Scuderia’s F1 activities.
Read more: Simone Resta tipped for new role as abrupt Haas exit explained
Guenther Steiner shed light on his mentality towards his time with Haas ending during an extensive interview with PlanetF1.com.
Haas were approached by the same investment consortium that eventually put pen to paper with Alpine…
Haas’ former technical director Simone Resta departed on the same day as Guenther Steiner…
While there’s a big change underway at Haas F1 with Guenther Steiner ousted, there are more changes going on across the entire Haas organisation…
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Andretti buy-out hope fades as Gene reveals Hollywood approach – F1 news – Planet F1
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