Guenther Steiner has given an update on Haas' search for a sponsor following their split from Uralkali. In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it was announced in February that the team had parted ways with their title sponsor. Uralkali are a Russian potash fertiliser producer and exporter. It was also confirmed that the outfit had dropped Russian driver Nikita Mazepin, who was personally sponsored by Uralkali. Haas revealed in the days afterwards that Kevin Magnussen would be making a surprise return to fill the vacant seat alongside Mick Schumacher for the 2022 season.
Steiner says Haas are not "desperate" for a sponsor
There was much speculation about Haas' funding following the departure of Uralkali from the team. Steiner says that the American squad have received interest from potential new sponsors, but insists that they are not "desperate". "I'm not trying to make this up, there is interest," Steiner told media including RacingNews365.com . "It's just [a case of] going through what you want to do. We don't want to give anything away cheap at the moment, because we are not this desperate. Everybody thinks we are desperate for a sponsor. We're not desperate. "We want something that helps us in the long-term. We have got enough easily to get by now, but you need to [think of] the future as well, and obviously this helps for a sponsor to be on board."
Has Haas' improvement boosted interest?
With Haas having hinted at having a more successful car during 2022 pre-season testing, Steiner thinks that this may have helped in boosting interest in the team amongst potential backers. "I would say some of the people [looked] at [the team] after the test here [in Bahrain]," the Team Principal explained. "They all of a sudden got interested. Obviously, the result matters with the sponsors." Haas impressed when they hit the track for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, with Magnussen qualifying in P7 for his comeback race before going on to finish in fifth. This marks quite a contrast from 2021, a campaign in which the team struggled at the back of the field and came away with no points.
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