Haas doubts F1 switch for Danica Patrick

  • Published on 06 Jun 2015 10:39
  • comments 1
  • By: Johan van den Beld

Haas, F1's new American entrant for 2016, has played down the prospect of Danica Patrick switching from Nascar. American Patrick, 33, is one of the highest profile racing drivers in the world, and she already drives for Gene Haas in the premier stock car series.

"It would put us on the map one way or another," Haas F1 team principal Gunther Steiner admitted to British Sky television in Canada. "But I think Danica is quite happy where she is at the moment. For her to make the move is a big risk; I don't she really wants to do it at this stage in her career," he added. Steiner said the right move for Haas would be to focus on finding an experienced driver for 2016 rather than a rookie American.

One name increasingly linked with Haas is Nico Hulkenberg. The German admitted again on Friday that he is "definitely impatient" at present as he waits for struggling Force India's 'B' car to debut later this year. At the same time, the German has diluted his focus on F1 in 2015 to also race at Le Mans, and will in fact board a plane to the scene of the fabled 24 hour event immediately after Sunday's chequered flag in Montreal.

Force India's Vijay Mallya says he wants Hulkenberg to stay in 2016, but the 27-year-old German is also keeping his options open. "Yes," he told F1's official website, "you need to have a good idea when a possible door could open. You need to be ready."

Linking up with Haas would be one way for Hulkenberg to take a step closer to Ferrari. The Italian team is helping Haas to prepare for 2016, and the FIA in fact recently looked into whether Haas' aero programme in the Ferrari wind tunnel is above board. Haas' Steiner said in Montreal: "We have nothing to hide."

And a Ferrari spokesman was also quoted by Speed Week: "Ferrari has agreements for the supply of engines and also a technical partnership with Haas. "But there is no common wind tunnel programme. Everything is separate and there is not even a crossover of any staff." (GMM)

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • scf1fan

    Posts: 58

    "American Patrick, 33, is one of the highest profile racing drivers in the world." Only because she is a female in a male dominated sport - not because her performance is anywhere near the top echelon in ANY major series. She would be a much worse choice than that of Michael Andretti so many years ago, particularly with a new team. She doesn't know the sport, the machines, the tracks or the routines . . . So at this point, the only reason to raise her name is for its PR value. I thought Haas was more serious than that. (Of course BE might love the idea, particularly if she wore white like an appliance . . . :-(

    • + 0
    • Jun 7 2015 - 01:19

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Team profile

  • comments 70,706 comments on Haas
  • star 16 members have this team as their favourite
  • vote Tweets about Haas
Show full profile
show sidebar