The Formula 1 grid might soon feature an American team after Gene Haas confirmed he has applied for a slot after the FIA opened up a tender process to find a new team.
The American is a co-owner of the successful Stewart-Haas NASCAR team alongside driver Tony Stewart.
Haas has enlisted the help of former Red Bull and Jaguar technical director Gunther Steiner, and will evaluate the viability of the project before joining in 2015, should the FIA grant a licence.
The Stewart-Haas team recently expanded its facilities in Charlotte, where it’s believed the F1 team would be based. A second base would likely be set up in Brussels where he owns a facility which has access to a full-scale windtunnel.
In a statement, Haas said further details would be provided in the “coming weeks.”
“We have responded to the FIA’s ‘call for expression of interest’ regarding a Formula One entry on behalf of Haas Racing Development. We respect the FIA’s evaluation process and will share more details in the coming weeks.”
The FIA is due to reveal which applicant has been successful in mid-February.
It’s believed two other applicants have expressed an interest. They include former HRT team principal Colin Kolles and Stefan GP which is led by businessman Zoran Stefanovic. The Serbian has attempted to join the grid twice before, using a Toyota chassis.
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