Finally, there is some new blood joining the party this season. After years of preparation, Formula 1 is ready to welcome a new addition to its crazy family.
We have not seen a new team since the start of the 2010 season but six years and many races later, we have some new American friends joining us.
Many teams have joined the sport over the years only to fail and never be seen again when the pressure really mounts. The new teams of six years ago were poorly run and it only seemed to be a matter of time before one and if not all of them were no more, the last American F1 team, USF1 failed to even make it to even make it to a pre-season test. This time, things just seem different and it is thanks to Haas F1.
The team were looking at joining the grid in 2015 but took the decision to postpone their debut by a year and have more time to prepare. Although a Haas F1 car has not hit the track, the American outfit is a team that people are standing up and taking notice of.
All packed for the @ausgrandprix. See you soon, mates. #AusGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/Aniw5kEAxW
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) January 12, 2016
With Marussia struggling financially, Haas saw an opportunity. The team bought the old Marussia factory in Banbury to serve as their European base as well as buying over assets from Marussia.
Armed with a powerful Ferrari engine and a strong driver line-up in the form of Romain Grosjean and Esteban Gutierrez, Haas are setting their sights high, and rightly so.
The team have already stated their intentions and are looking to achieve something that neither Lotus (was Caterham but have now left), Hispania (who were a complete mess of a time), USF1 (who did not even make it to a race) and Manor (who then changed to Virgin Racing and then Marussia and are now called Manor again) points in their first race. Although some would say that for a new team to even get through the opening weekend is an achievement in itself, Haas aren’t here to make up the numbers.
The team is going the right way about achieving their initial goals. With a proper structure in place, with this week’s news of Sauber’s new car not being ready until the final test and McLaren said to have “called off Christmas” to have their car ready for the new season, Haas seem to be in a much better position than most teams who have been in F1 for years.
The chassis has already passed the FIA crash test which is required before the car is allowed to be entered. As well as having a young and exciting driver pairing, the team has been bolstered off the track with the arrival of the former Red Bull technical director Gunther Steiner. The team certainly do not lack ambition.
Lights, camera, action! @EstebanGtz might be seeing stars after today’s photo shoot. ? #F1 pic.twitter.com/99rwYDbZlN
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) December 3, 2015
Whether Haas score points or not will remain to be seen. If you were to compare the position that Haas as a team are at right now in contrast to Hispania, Virgi, Lotus and HRT, the difference is night and day.
With a solid base to work from, a working relationship with their engineer supplier Ferrari, a driver line-up that has immense talent and experience at such a young age, the right people calling the shots off the track and are seemingly financially in a good place, then Haas F1 could turn a few heads in 2016 and beyond.
With F1 still trying to crack America, the success of this project is key to growth and longevity.
Do you think Haas will be successful in F1? Let us know in the comments below!
