Gene Haas is looking for rule changes in F1

Gene Haas: “The gap to the top teams, it seems like it’s almost impossible to bridge that.”

This weekend, Gene Haas is at Autodromo Nazionale Monza. He’s there to support his newly founded F1 operation.

However, Gene Haas appears far less excited about his open wheel racing team than last year. He’s looking for changes to F1.

“It feels like it’s become harder to score points. Even though we’re a littler farther ahead,” Gene Haas compares the 2017 F1 season to his 2016 debut in an interview with Will Buxton.

“The gap to the top teams, it seems like it’s almost impossible to bridge that.”

Haas F1 car owned by Gene Haas
Haas F1 car owned by Gene Haas

Changes coming to F1?

F1 is under new ownership and they’re listening to the teams. Most of the field wants F1 to be more competitive.

Is the new American ownership of F1 going to change things going forward?

It sounds like it’s a problem that’s almost unsolvable

-Gene Haas (Haas F1 Owner)

“They’ve very patiently listened to us. And I think they’ve talked to all the teams. They’re formulating a strategy that they’re going to release later this year.” With a laugh, “We’re all anticipating how they’re going to solve that problem. It sounds like it’s a problem that’s almost unsolvable.

“Like in the last practice, the first 3 cars were all within a second. Then, the next 10 cars were all within a second. So, there’s a big gap. There’s definitely a big racing gap between the front runners and the teams in the back.”

Haas Formula One Garage
Haas Formula One Garage

How does F1 fix that?

“You know, I don’t really understand it. If anything, my point of view is that, it’s a gap that we can’t reduce. With what our current resources are and what we know, it just seems like it’s an impossible gap to reduce.”

“Some of it, is that the top 3 teams are are quasi manufactures. Since they run the whole car and make the whole car, they understand it a lot better than we do. So, we’re always going to be at somewhat of a disadvantage to the manufactures.”

If you can’t ever win at this sport, it doesn’t seam like it’s really gunna be much of a sport.

-Gene Haas

“I think there needs to be some kind of a randomness in the sport. Where, you know, even a team in the back has some possibility of winning once in awhile. Not every race. But, if you can’t ever win at this sport, it doesn’t seem like it’s really gunna be much of a sport.”

Haas F1 Team owner Gene Haas
Haas F1 Team owner Gene Haas

Future of Haas F1

Does Haas f1 have to win for the team to remain in the sport?

“Well, we’re certainly committed to Formula One. But, if we never have a chance to win, I really have to question why we’re here. I think every team should have at least some possibility of winning a race, once in awhile.”

“Through a fuel strategy or some alternative. But, the gap’s so big now that I just don’t see how we can possibly close it.”

Haas F1 Factory
Haas F1 Team Racing Photos
Links

Haas F1 Team
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Will Buxton
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F1
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