Breaking news
Formula 1
Haas won't bring upgrades before 2020 budget is secure
Haas is to hold fire on bringing any upgrades to its Formula 1 car this year until it can be sure about its income for the shortened 2020 campaign.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Jul 12, 2021, 1:49 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
As F1 aims to start its new season at the Austrian Grand Prix on July 5, there remains great uncertainty about how many races there will be, and how much commercial rights income teams will get.
That far-from-clear situation has prompted Haas to decide to not commit to upgrades on its car for now, so it can be sure that it has the money to get to the end of the year.
Speaking to selected media including Motorsport.com on a video conference call on Thursday, team principal Gunther Steiner said: "In the moment we are not planning any upgrades until we know exactly what we are doing this year budget wise, and what we are doing race wise.
"I cannot spend money which I don't know if I've got. There is no point to do that in the moment.
"We have to be very cautious with what we are doing, because obviously you know the income is going down in having less races and having races without spectators. So, until it's very clear I'm very cautious."
Read Also:
- McLaren open to sale of F1 team shares to raise finance
- How F1 teams have to adapt to COVID-19 garage protocols
While holding fire on car developments means there is a risk Haas could fall behind rivals, or find out too late it has the funds to make better parts, Steiner thinks a far worse situation would be to overspend now and find out later that income is much less than predicted.
"You need to make decisions now," he explained. "The worst would be to spend the money now and then not have the money to do the upgrades. That is no help."
And, as Haas found out last year when a mid-season upgrade derailed its campaign, there can be too much faith put in new parts when good results can still come from optimising an older package.
"We learned quite a lot about upgrades," added Steiner. "They are never as big as you hope they are. Because in these days, you can do quite a lot on the first car. So, in our opinion, it's not a necessity to have them.
"What is really needed for us is not to make mistakes. That will be decisive. That is why we went down that road in not risking that we are planning for something which we then cannot afford.
"That would be worse because then you cannot go to the last grands prix. Then for sure that wouldn't give us any points if you don't get the money.
"So it's just how you manage your company and we're happy to do it like this. We know what we're doing, and we are happy with the decision."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Albon: "Special" fan connection will transfer to real life
Next article Legendary Ferrari F1 photographer Colombo knighted in Italy
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon responds to Haas signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
8 h
Esteban Ocon responds to Haas signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Latest news
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
5 h
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Kimi Antonelli ready to "finish the job" as first F1 title chance beckons at US GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
5 h
Kimi Antonelli ready to "finish the job" as first F1 title chance beckons at US GP
How to watch NASCAR at Talladega II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
6 h
How to watch NASCAR at Talladega II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
Peterson Racing addresses online abuse after parting ways with Austin Green
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Talladega II
6 h
Peterson Racing addresses online abuse after parting ways with Austin Green
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe