Haas Formula could build its own chassis for 2016

In 2016, Haas Formula is expected to join the ranks of the paddock in the premier class. The future American team, led by entrepreneur and NASCAR team owner Gene Haas, is seeking partners. The presence of the businessman and his deputy, Günther Steiner, in Montreal aimed to establish contacts, particularly with Ferrari.

« We are trying to set up a technical partnership. We have spent a lot of time with Ferrari, and have had some discussions with Mercedes. The engine supplier is only half of the equation here, and we are still working on it, » said Gene Haas to our British colleagues from Autosport.

The American team, which could have started next season, has finally chosen to give itself some time and begin its adventure in 2016. A situation that increasingly rules out a collaboration for chassis construction with Dallara: « If we had raced in 2015, we would have had to make this package ». But, ultimately, the late entry could allow Haas Formula to build its own chassis: « We have 50% of what we need to build our own cars, and the ultimate goal is to do that, and that’s the path we are going to take. »

The rest of the Haas Formula single-seater could be made up of parts purchased from a technical partner. Indeed, the regulations allow a manufacturer to buy parts instead of making them itself, without losing its status as a constructor. « This list of parts that we can buy, […] it’s increasing, we want to be the team that takes advantage of this rule and try to buy as much as possible. It’s just too expensive to make all these small parts. »

Günther Steiner, former member of Jaguar and Red Bull, is obviously on the same page: We will take the suspensions and all those parts from our technical partner because Appendix 6 [of the Sporting Regulations] changes next year. We will handle the rest, like the chassis. If it had been 2015, then we wouldn’t have had the time to do that, so now, with a bit more time, we can do that ourselves without going to an external supplier.

Annex 6 thus lists the components that can be purchased by a manufacturer from another supplier, including: the monocoque, the survival cell, front and side impact structures, front and rear suspensions (excluding rotating parts), heat exchangers (oil and water), the steering system, the seat, the pedals, most elements of the braking system, the floor, the diffuser, and some parts of the bodywork.

Steiner explains that the scope of the partnership desired by Haas justifies that the discussions are lengthy: « With the list extending, this is the way we want to act, so for that reason, negotiations take a bit longer with the technical partners because no one has done this before. »

On this subject, Ferrari seems to be in pole position to set up such an agreement. Gene Haas does not want, however, to close the door to other opportunities even though he wants a relatively quick resolution: « Until we have a signed contract, it’s open. I hope we can do this in a few weeks. Even if we don’t race in 2016, the year will pass quickly. Therefore, it’s important to have a relationship with someone to start with. »