Haas F1 Admits to Trying to Having Initial Talks With Renault as an Alternative to Ferrari Engine

Haas has been a Ferrari engine customer all these years. As a result, the team struggled significantly last season as the Maranello outfit’s power unit performance was reduced by the 2019 directives. Recently, it was reported that Haas F1 were in talks with Renault about a potential partnership between the two.

As of 2018, Renault were supplying their power unit to Red Bull and McLaren. However, at the end of that year, the Austrian team ended their agreement with Renault. At the end of 2020, McLaren, too, opted to end their association with them and announced that the reignition of their relationship with Mercedes.

This left Renault with zero customers.

Haas boss, Guenther Steiner, confirmed that he did speak to Renault about their power unit a few times. However, he also clarified that Haas F1 will not be partnering up with them because it is not the best project for the American team as of now.

“We met with Renault several times to understand their plans. We had some meetings with Cyril Abiteboul in particular,” said Guenther Steiner.

“But it never reached a real point of conversation. We looked at who did what and then we came to the conclusion that this was not the best project for us.”

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Haas F1 to continue their relationship with Ferrari

Guenther Steiner has always believed in long-term relationships. Even with his previous drivers, the team continued the relationship for five-years, which is an eternity in F1 time. Loyalty is very important to the Haas boss.

He said, “I believe in loyalty, and Gene [Haas, team owner] too. Without Ferrari, we wouldn’t be here. We have a relationship with Ferrari that is now entering its sixth year. The relationship is good. In every respect there are problems that you solve somehow.”

Last season, Haas were fighting for their existence in Formula 1. Thus, results are really important for the American team, and that is heavily dependent on how Ferrari’s power unit will perform this season.

Fortunately, Ferrari are hoping to develop and improve their engine this season. A former test driver for the team even claimed that the team’s power unit for 2021 is possibly the best on the grid.

Considering the improvements in Ferrari’s power unit and Haas’ new lineup, how do you think the American team will perform this season? Do you believe they will have an engine good enough to get back to being competitive in the mid-field?