Gene Haas changes the name of his F1 team
Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation and chairman of the newly renamed Haas F1 Team, opted for the name change to better correlate his team with motor racing’s most prestigious series – the FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
Haas F1 Team takes the place of the previous name, Haas Formula, which will remain the legal entity. Haas F1 Team will be the public and commercial name of the first American-led Formula One team since 1986. Its Website, www.HaasF1Team.com, launched today, as did its Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/HaasF1Team.
"Haas F1 Team automatically conveys our place among the pinnacle of motorsports," said Haas, who founded Haas Automation in 1983 and has shaped it into the largest CNC machine tool builder in North America. "When you hear 'F1' you know exactly what it is – a global racing series that showcases the latest technology and attracts the best talent in engineering and design. Haas Automation has an excellent reputation in the United States and I want that reputation to grow worldwide. Connecting Haas Automation with F1 in name and in practice when the Haas F1 Team debuts in 2016 is the best way to grow our business and elevate Haas Automation to a premium, global brand."
The FIA granted Haas a Formula One license in April. Well before then, ground was broken on an 11.600 square-meter (125,000 square-foot) facility adjacent to Haas' NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team in Kannapolis, North Carolina, that will house the Haas F1 Team. Construction is scheduled to be completed in November.
Haas' motorsports holdings include the Haas F1 Team, Stewart-Haas Racing and Windshear.