Haas sponsor won't push for Schumacher next year's F1 seat
Oct.21 - Haas looks set to keep its current basic team colours in 2023 despite signing a new title sponsor for 2023 and beyond - a Texas-based payment transfer company Moneygram.
"Their colours are white and red," grinned team boss Gunther Steiner. "Just like ours. "Moneygram will allow us to invest more and hit the Formula 1 budget cap. Our goal is to achieve podium finishes in the medium term," he added.
It is a welcome financial boost for the small American team, having axed its former title sponsor Uralkali and driver Nikita Mazepin over the Ukraine conflict.
Haas F1 team press conference with Alex Holmes, CEO of MoneyGram, Guenther Steiner, Team Principal, Haas F1, and Greg Hall, CMO of MoneyGram during the 2022 USA F1 GP (Photo by Andy Hone / LAT Images)
But it might actually be bad news for Mick Schumacher, as there may now be pressure on Haas to sign up an American driver.
Also in the running for 2023 is F1 veteran Nico Hulkenberg, but team incumbent Kevin Magnussen actually thinks Schumacher "definitely deserves" to keep his seat.
"He started off maybe not really liking the car," said the Dane, "but he's really gained confidence and lately he's been super hard for me to beat."
However, team owner Gene Haas made a rare public statement earlier this week when he warned that only more points finishes would secure Schumacher's seat for next year.
"Gene is my boss and he has every right to speak his mind," German Schumacher, 23, said in Austin. "Everything he said is also true.
"I'm trying my best and hopefully there will be points this weekend."
When asked what he hopes happens in terms of his future, he added: "The talks are ongoing and I'm happy where I am."
The CEO of Haas' new title sponsor is Alex Holmes, who vowed to stay out of the team's deliberations about whether Schumacher is retained or replaced for 2023.
"We just want to be presented appropriately," he said.
"I met Mick Schumacher today and I see a fully motivated young man who makes a great impression on me, but Gunther ultimately determines who is in the car.
"Whoever drives for the team has our full support."
✅ Check out more posts with related topics:
I still think quietly Mick has already signed with Williams. We'll find out soon enough. If that's the case, I'd either take Hulkenberg or Colton Herta. The latter being if the new sponsor is relishing an American driver.
A slight missprint in this article , the title sponsor signed by Haas is Moneygrab , Ironic really as that's exactly what the row in f1 is all about at the moment, but seriously good luck to Haas, finally a genuine well paying sponsor, now all they need is regular points finishes, over to Kmag and Jnr....
Spot on, Shrop', but can the current team management provide the support? Instead of replacing MSC how about replacing Gunny and the clown crowd?
Not sure if you were joking (tongue in cheek), but just seeing one of the Haas that Giovanzzi drove and crashed yesterday, the decal on the Halo clearly says MoneyGram, but either way, they have a sponsor Americans have heard of.
Irony, Sarcasm oh and Factual, but this time Sarcasm
Boy, talk about a misleading headline. Read Alex Holmes actual comments. Liberty running our sport sucks, no argument, but anti-American bias is becoming a bit tiresome. Must be a huge market for blinders across the pond.
✅ Checkout the latest 50 F1 Fans comments.