The team is the first American constructor to submit an entry since the failed US F1 project in 2010 and will be the first American team to compete since the unrelated Haas Lola outfit raced in the 1985 and 1986 seasons. The Haas Lola team was owned by former McLaren boss Teddy Mayer and Carl Haas, who is of no relation to Gene Haas.
Following the collapse of Marussia F1 during the 2014 season and the auctioning of their assets, Haas purchased the team’s Banbury headquarters to serve as a forward base for their operations.
Unrestricted by testing regulations until the season the team enters the sport, Haas plans on shaking its new car down in December 2015 ahead of the start of pre-season testing the following year. Haas approached Italian manufacturer Dallara to design and build their chassis, with a power unit supplied by Ferrari. Former Jaguar and Red Bull Racing technical director Günther Steiner will be the team principal. Haas confirmed its new car had passed the mandatory FIA crash tests on January 8.
The team announced on September 29, 2015 that Romain Grosjean will be one of their drivers for 2016. On October 30, 2015 during the Mexican Grand Prix weekend, it was officially announced that Ferrari test driver Esteban Gutiérrez will be joining the team for the 2016 season.
How will Haas F1 fare in this its first season? Do not expect it to be a front runner, but I do not think it will be a tail-end Charlie. Some serious money has gone into the project, and F1 lives on serious money!
