Haas is feeling the “impact” of Formula 1’s growing presence in America but will be patient in taking opportunities.
This weekend sees the first of two races in the US this season at the inaugural Miami Grand Prix at Hard Rock Stadium, while Austin’s Circuit of the Americas will celebrate its 10th anniversary in F1 in October.
The rapid growth and interest in F1 in the States have also come at a good time for Haas, the only American team on the grid, after splitting with main sponsor Uralkali earlier this year in the wake of the Russia/Ukraine conflict.
“Yes, I’ve seen the impact,” team boss Guenther Steiner said. “We’ve got a lot more interest for partnerships, for sponsorship and it has risen quite a lot.
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“Now, we can take a little bit of time to go through and see how it develops but for sure, having the race in Miami and adding a race in Las Vegas next year, a third race in the States, will help all of this.
“We’re in no hurry but the sport is in a good place at the moment.”
That patience is born from Haas not only trying to avoid the mistakes of the past in regards to sponsors, but also to ensure the US F1 boom is sustained.
“I think this boom in the US in Formula 1 has started I would say last year, or maybe two years ago,” Steiner added.
Lots of love for our American owned @HaasF1Team at home! ?
And Guenther, of course ?#MiamiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/J2VwkO0sRf
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 5, 2022
“Last year it started to get really traction, so it will take a little bit of time to get it all going for the team as well.
“First year, there is interest in it, and then that interest we can bring to potential sponsors to get them on board.”
But Haas doesn’t believe that interest means they have to become solely a US-focused team.
“I don’t think we have to lean more,” he said. “We do have Haas CMC and Haas tooling there, they are both American companies, you cannot be more American than them!”