Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has set his targets for the next few years very high, with the Italian expecting his side to “fight for podiums” now they’ve got the support of new title partner MoneyGram.
It was announced ahead of the United States Grand Prix that cross-border money transfer service MoneyGram would be the side’s title sponsor from 2023, replacing the role Uralkali ahead until the company were dropped ahead of the season.
The deal will come as a relief to the team, who were certainly one of the championship’s worst-funded teams.
Steiner is expecting his side to now take their next step in the right direction and finally break into the top of the midfield, something they’ve never accomplished.
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“With this deal, I think we make that step that in a few years, we can fight for podiums,” Steiner said.
“I’m not promising for next year, because we just came back from two years which were very bad for us.
“We cooperated well and we will continue to improve, but it will take time, we are realistic.
“I don’t want to send out messages [about] what we are going to win, but I think this is the step to the next level for Haas F1, where we can really fight with other people at the same level.”
The announcement ahead of the US Grand Prix was lifted even more during the race, as Kevin Magnussen claimed the Americans first points finish since the Austrian Grand Prix.
Haas do still have one conundrum, though, to solve ahead of 2023, who will partner the Danish driver?
The second seat at Haas is a straight fight between current driver Mick Schumacher, who is out-of-contract after Abu Dhabi, and Aston Martin reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg, who hasn’t raced full-time in F1 since 2019.
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The odds appear to be in Hulkenberg’s favour, given the amount of criticism Schumacher has faced from Haas owner Gene Haas; however, should they not sign the 23-year-old then they’ll likely be losing him to a rival.
Audi are reportedly interested in Schumacher joining their side in 2026 when they officially takeover Sauber, with there perhaps even a chance that he’ll join the team before then.
It’s a decision of youth or experience for Steiner, one that could have a massive impact on their performance next season.