Haas F1 founder and owner Gene Haas believes his two drivers Esteban Gutiérrez and Romain Grosjean will compliment each other because one knows the package and one will know the tracks.
Gene Haas was speaking to Sports Business Daily ahead of his team’s first year in Formula One which begins on the 20th of March in Australia. Expectations are high at Haas and the rest of the paddock also believe they will begin the season strong.
Having decided to delay their entry into Formula One for a year the team has had a solid 18 months to design, build and test their car in a wind tunnel as they were exempt from wind tunnel regulations whilst they were not a Formula One competitor.
They have also created a close working relationship with Ferrari, using Ferrari power units and suspension as well as the use of their wind tunnel facilities in Maranello, a move that will benefit both Ferrari and Haas. Despite the clear advantages they have over most first time F1 teams, Gene believes it’s the drivers in his team that will give them a “better package”.
“Gutiérrez has been a Ferrari test driver, so he’s up to speed with simulators and Ferrari equipment. He has driven some of the Ferrari cars, so he’s going to be a little bit further ahead.” He said.
“Grosjean as a current Formula One driver is going to be more familiar with the tracks, requirements and tyre strategies. We have none of that knowledge now.
“Most teams will develop a book as they go from race to race, year after year and you look at those notes. We don’t have a notebook, so we have to develop all of that.
“I think that’s where Romain will have an advantage, and then Gutiérrez will have the advantage on the equipment side since he’s going to be more familiar with it. Those two guys together will be able to complement each other and give us a better package.”
With years of experience co-owning a Nascar team Gene Haas certainly knows how to win and what needs to be done, Formula One is a completely different beast but he has the tools and backing to succeed. Watch this space.
