Thursday, November 21, 2024

Haas sign long-term deal with F1 power unit supplier

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Haas has announced that it will continue its long-term F1 technical partnership with Ferrari through the 2028 season.

The American-based team entered F1 in 2016 as a Ferrari customer and, as permitted by the rules at the time, took most components of its car from the Scuderia, which proved controversial in some quarters. 

However, the rules have since been changed to make teams design and build most of its own cars, with Haas continuing to take Ferrari power units, a partnership that will now extend into a second decade and the first three seasons of the new regulations that are to be introduced in 2026.

These new rules will feature beefed-up electrical systems and the removal of the MGU-K from the current power units, with Haas becoming the ninth team to confirm its supplier for the new regulations. Only Alpine has yet to do so.

The news of the renewal of the partnership comes after Haas confirmed the signing of Ferrari protege Oliver Bearman to a full-time race seat in 2025.

Komatsu addresses partnership

Over the course of the Haas-Ferrari partnership, Haas recorded a best finish of fifth in the constructors’ in 2018, beating the works Renault squad.

Then-boss Cyril Abiteboul raised concerns over the closeness of the partnership, but over the course of the next few seasons, Haas slid to the bottom of the standings, with its results since reading ninth-ninth-10th-eighth-and 10th. 

Following the second last-place finish in three seasons, Guenther Steiner left his role as team principal prior to the 2024 season, with Ayao Komatsu stepping up and after 12 races has guided the team to seventh place with a considerably improved package. 

Reflecting on the announcement, Komatsu praised the stability the partnership would bring Haas

“I’m thrilled to extend our relationship with Scuderia Ferrari until 2028,” he said.

“As an organisation, we’ve only ever raced with Ferrari power units and to have that continued stability moving into the next set of power unit regulations is a key part of our on-going development.

“The relationship with Scuderia Ferrari has always been a special one to us – they were instrumental in the genesis of the program back in the early days and have continued to be a valuable technical partner to us throughout the past nine seasons. 

“I’m delighted we now have more seasons ahead and my thanks go to Fred Vasseur and many others at Scuderia Ferrari for continuing to show faith in our project. 

“This announcement is just another example of the long-term ambition of Haas F1 Team – our investment and growth in the sport continues.”

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