Haas title sponsor Rich Energy’s CEO says he wants the Formula 1 team to "challenge Red Bull" on and off-track.
Haas’ 2019 Formula 1 season was launched at London’s Royal Automobile Club on Thursday, with team boss Guenther Steiner, drivers Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen, and Rich Energy CEO William Storey all present.
Haas has partnered with Rich Energy for 2019, with the company becoming the Formula 1 team’s first title sponsor since it debuted in the sport in 2016.
Haas finished fifth in last year’s Constructors’ Championship, its best result, while Red Bull – champions from 2010 through 2013 – placed third, having taken four wins.
“Haas are brilliant people and they’re the perfect partner for Rich Energy as we move forward to challenge Red Bull on and off the track,” said Storey.
“I think we’ve already beaten them, we’ve got a better-looking car, that’s a bit biased there!
“We’re expanding very quickly, we’re taking a huge amount of business from them. Some of the biggest drinks distributors in Europe are de-listing Red Bull now, and I think our results will start to speak for themselves.
“Formula 1’s a wonderful platform for us. We’re with the best-run team in my opinion, and equally importantly, lovely people. We’re delighted to work with Haas and we want to do it on a very long-term basis.”
Team boss Steiner added that Storey’s ambition was commendable, commenting: “I think you have to try hard. If you have no targets, you never achieve anything.
“Last year, I think we had the fourth-fastest car, we finished fifth [in the standings], I know about that, but the next one up was Red Bull.
“We can try. If we achieve it or not, I don’t know, but if you don’t try, for sure you don’t achieve it. Why would you do it if you don’t put your target high?”
