The Reasons behind Haas F1 Team’s Underperformance: Ferrari Dependency, Shady Sponsors and More

“It came down to performance,” said Gene Haas to justify his untimely and shocking crucifixion of Guenther Steiner. It’s true, the performances, or lack thereof, consistency in their time with the circus is a major issue. Finishing dead last with just 12 points to their name in the 2023 season. This is the first time the Gene Haas-owned team has finished last as well. After hanging by a thread for a few years, the team hit rock bottom in 2021 for the first time. However, let’s try to pinpoint the real reason behind Haas’ underwhelming performances throughout the year, year after year.

1. Limited investment and questionable sponsorships

Gene Haas is an American at heart and the heart wants NASCAR, which is also his primary focus. Who can blame him? The Stewart-Haas Racing team has been comparatively more competitive and successful than the F1 team. With his priorities lying with his brainchild, the NASCAR team, Gene Haas treats his F1 team like a stepchild.

After initially deciding against investing in the team, he came on board only after Steiner’s second attempt. The idea was to purchase a pre-owned chassis for the first season, but as the plan collapsed, Gene Haas purchased the Banbury headquarters while keeping major operations back in Kannapolis, North Carolina. Before their debut in 2016, Steiner had struck a deal with Ferrari to become their engine supplier. However, their reliance on the Italian team was greater.

The factory in Kannapolis mainly caters to the NASCAR team, so when it comes to the F1 chassis, Haas buys as many parts from Ferrari as they can. In fact, the year Haas secured their best finish in the Constructor’s Championship so far, P5, they were under fire for competing with a car that resembled the 2017 Ferrari challenger. However, you can’t buy an older model without facing the wrath of the FIA or can fix another F1 car’s part on yours and expect results because the manufacturing of both cars is complex and unique.

Apart from heavy reliance on Ferrari, Haas has been unfortunate in the sponsorship department as well. After the powerful showing in 2018, Haas took on Rich Energy as a title sponsor for 2019 under a multi-year deal. However, the poor results made them lose Rich Energy, but in came Uralkali to save the day, or did it? The Russian potash fertilizer manufacturer was owned by Dmitry Mazepin, father of ex-Haas driver Nikita Mazepin. We are all aware of the troubled tenure of the Russian driver with the team and how Haas ended their deal with the devil, so to speak.

Read More: “They Say They Don’t Want Money From Russia”: Insulted Nikita Mazepin Lashes Out at Haas Over F1 Sponsorship Money

Lack of investment from Gene Haas, lack of funding from the sponsors, and the team’s continued poor performances have led to another scenario that they can’t seem to get out of.

The vicious cycle Haas is stuck in

After the highs of 2018, the American team has failed to impress not only the fans, the grid, and the boss, but also the drivers. No driver wants to become a part of a team that is down in the dumps. This trend has only been made worse and more evident after the events of the 2023 silly season.

For three years, from 2017, Haas stuck with Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean. In 2021, they signed Mick Schumacher and perhaps had to give Nikita Mazepin the seat. However, after a valid reason to replace Mazepin, Haas recalled Kevin Magnussen who was out of drive for the previous year. He held his own and used all his experience to finish above his teammate, Mick Schumacher.

However, at the end of the 2022 season, Steiner announced they wouldn’t be renewing Schumacher’s contract despite an uptick in performances. Instead, they offered the second seat to Daniel Ricciardo fresh out of a heartbreaking ousting from McLaren. However, the Australian denied the opportunity and chose to sit out instead of putting his energy into a project he did not believe in.

This perfectly summarizes Haas’s perfection on the grid. This trend of not being able to secure better drivers with sponsorships attached to them will continue into 2025 as well, with many drivers out of contract at the end of the upcoming season.

Moreover, Haas can only hope to renew Nico Hulkenberg‘s contract after blocking his move to Sauber in 2023. He has showcased he’s still got some race left in him, so he will surely attract offers. Apart from that, only Magnussen seems to be the guy for the team whilst the other available drivers would want to stick to their current team or choose anything else but the American team. Perhaps another rookie will make a debut thanks to Haas in 2025?

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We hope the team can find its feet in 2024 and showcase they mean business. They’ve already taken the first step by making the bold decision of firing their rockstar. Let’s see if this decision has a positive impact on the team.

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