F1 | Steiner: “Haas is in Formula 1 to stay”

Over the last few months there have been many rumors regarding a possible farewell of Haas to the world of Formula 1, especially if an agreement had not been reached regarding the budget cap. The latest events, particularly linked to the long break and the uncertainty about the calendar and related revenues, have thrown more fuel on the fire, casting doubt on the team's permanence in the top automotive series.

However, the latest regulatory changes, especially regarding cost reduction, seem to have satisfied the leaders of the American team, who thus wanted to underline their commitment to Formula 1: "I think that the budget cap is something positive for the sport in general, even if it makes things fair to everyone. We know that we will still be under the budget cap level, but it is a good step. Now the difference from the top teams will not be 150 million dollars, but maybe 20 million, which is an excellent step forward" commented Gunther Steiner during an interview with selected media -. “There is also a chance that it will be reduced in the future. Surely people can make money on it. The top teams, if they manage to keep the sponsors they have and the distribution of prizes is more fair with the new agreements, there is a chance. This must be my goal. If I succeed, he will surely sign the new pact of harmony.”

In the coming months FOM and the teams will also have to agree on the new pact of harmony, so some teams already seem to be at an advanced stage on the agreements reached. This will also mark an important moment for Haas which, if it deems the contents satisfactory, will remain in Formula 1: “We have not yet seen the concord pact in its final version or the commercial agreement, but we know more or less what it will be like. It should be finalized in the next few weeks or so, I don't know exactly when, but clearly the FOM had to wait for the budget cap to be put in place. Once we have all the details, Mr. Haas will decide what to do, but at the moment the situation is to stay in the sport, but before signing I can't say what will happen. The team is 100% owned by him, so he makes the decisions, but I'm confident. We are overcoming this difficult time of the coronavirus, we are doing the right things and I think Haas is here to stay,” added the Haas team principal.