Haas already looking to ramp up 2017 recruitment

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner says the US outfit is already looking to add more staff in order to prepare for 2017’s planned technical overhaul.

The American newcomers have enjoyed a dream F1 debut so far, with Romain Grosjean finishing sixth in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix before going one better in Bahrain a fortnight later.

Haas has entered the series on the back of a strong partnership with Ferrari, which sees the Scuderia provide many components – most notably the latest spec of its power unit – to the F1 rookies.

Although it has already ruffled some feathers in the paddock, the Haas-Ferrari tie-up will extend into next year. And with radical aerodynamic regulations slated for introduction, Steiner explains that Haas is seeking to hire more engineers and analysts.

“[The association with Ferrari] will be the same,” Steiner is quoted as saying by Autosport. “We just need more people. With more people, we can get more done, so that is why we need more people.

“It is the result of the 2017 car. We need to put pressure on to develop the 2017 car now.”

Despite Haas’ use of the Ferrari windtunnel coming under close scrutiny at the end of last year, Steiner confirms that the two partners will carry on having the “exact same” organisation.

“The scale model goes back to [renowned Italian chassis manufacturer] Dallara and when we go testing, we will go to Ferrari,” the ex-Jaguar and Red Bull man added.

“We have Haas Italia. We have some offices in Dallara which we rent so [the additional personnel] will be based there.

“The staffing numbers are going up but not by a lot. Some are for vacant positions which we didn't fill last year.”

Haas F1 Team is headquartered in Kannapolis, North Carolina, and also has a UK base in Banbury.

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