Haas is willing to work with Alfa Romeo in Formula 1 the next year, but the team denies that any formal talks for a partnership deal have taken place to date.
Alfa Romeo’s current partnership deal with Sauber expires at the end of this season, and the Hinwil based outfit has not yet decided whether it will continue to be involved in Formula 1.
Following a meeting between Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato and Haas team principal Gunther Steiner during the Monaco Grand Prix, rumors surfaced that the team and automaker were going to start a title sponsorship deal in 2024.
Steiner claimed that speculation of a merger was premature even if it would undoubtedly be advantageous for Haas in a statement made ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.
“A lot of people are telling that to me, but the only ones who haven’t told me that yet are Alfa Romeo,” Steiner said when asked if the brand would be their sponsor in 2024.
“Obviously they are looking at what they are doing in the future, and they came to see us, to see how we are doing. It was an introduction, nothing else.
“I had never met the CEO before in my life and we just got introduced Obviously there was nothing to hide. He just said ‘hello’, and that was it. I don’t know what they are doing in the future.”
Steiner stated that any affiliation with Alfa Romeo would have to take into account the long-term title sponsorship agreement that Haas already has with Moneygram. He was also asked if Haas would be open to a new naming agreement and whether they would consider losing the Haas name.
“I don’t know because we never spoke about this, so I don’t know,” Steiner said. “I don’t have an answer for that because we haven’t discussed with Gene about this.
“There is nothing on the table, therefore I don’t even think about. it. I have a lot of other things to do.”
Steiner added that he had no information from Alfa Romeo regarding its plans for the upcoming year.
“I think they’re looking what they want to do, that’s my feeling,” he said. “But they didn’t tell me.”
