Gene Haas Will Go Into F1 Project Without NASCAR Partner Tony Stewart

NASCAR driver Tony Stewart will not be involved in Gene Haas’ F1 project. The co-owners of NASCAR Sprint Cup team Stewart-Haas Racing will not field a co-owned F1 team should the FIA grant Haas an F1 license for ’15.

“Tony is specific to the NASCAR program," said True Speed Communication Founder Mike Arning. “So whatever Gene may end up doing in F1 will be separate from Stewart-Haas Racing. There will be a different name and a different set of personnel to lead the F1 project."

The chances of Haas being granted the sought-after license received a major boost last weekend when F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone said that two teams, including Haas’ U.S. entry, have been accepted to join the series next year. Ecclestone’s comments suggest that Haas’ F1 project is on the right track, but it is tough to move forward without an official word from the FIA.

Arning: “Gene Haas and his F1 ambitions are quite frankly still in a holding pattern. Bernie obviously seemed to endorse the prospect of Gene’s F1 plans, but the license comes from the FIA." HJ Mai/Sportsbusinessdaily.com