After a difficult 2019, questions over the future of Haas in Formula 1 are being raised.
This season started well for the American outfit in Australia but quickly turned sour as tyre problems evolved into development issues with their VF-19 car.
Off the track too, their relationship with new title sponsor Rich Energy quickly soured leading to a split before the Singapore Grand Prix.
As F1’s smallest team, the financial impact of a likely ninth-place finish in this year’s Constructors’ standings could also be significant.
And in their latest financial report, F1 business journalist Christian Sylt noticed a line that read “financial support for the company to continue in operation for at least 12 months from the date of these financial statements”.
The date of those statements was May 17.
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Making the situation worse is the cost of F1’s new rules for 2021, including new cars and also a longer calendar.
But speaking in Sochi, F1 motorsport director Ross Brawn commented on the importance of keeping Haas on the grid.
“Gene Haas’ team is a valuable asset for Formula 1,” he said.
“It is the first example of a new team establishing itself in a sport that for too many years has seen teams come and go in a short space of time, without ever really making their mark.
“It’s also important because it flies the US flag in a sport that is generally Euro-centric,” Brawn noted.
“It is vital for Formula 1 that we continue to support the growth in interest in the sport in the USA and in the absence of an American driver a Stars ‘n’ Stripes team fulfils that role.
“Let’s hope therefore that Haas is on the up in this final part of the season and maybe they can even get a good result at their home race in Austin.”