Bob Barnard Track Engineering

It is reported that Gene Haas and Colin Colles will be granted the two extra F1 team slots today by the FIA. Why they would want them is the bigger question. Colin Colles can't help himself. After the HRT experience why would he think this one can succeed? He just wants to go racing, as long as someone else is paying it seems..

Gene Haas is a much more serious proposition though. With a successful CNC business, a NASCAR team with Tony Stewart, and an interest in the Mooresville wind tunnel he has the money to back this and the know how, but again why? HRT demonstrated the likely out come,and both Murussia and Caterham are shining examples of how hard it is for new teams under Bernie's winner take all payment scheme. The "owner" of Marussia, Cheglakov, has given up on his supercar plans and F1 it seems, so Gene could buy that as a cheap way in. Tony Fernandes has warned that this year could be the last for him to pour money into without results. So the omens are not good for a new team.

Then there is the current state of F1. Bernie's case starts soon, and he is running around talking about a "new" GP1 series based on GP2 cars. So where would that leave Gene with his new team? There must be a more secure and possibly cheaper way of promoting his business. With the current state of motor sport I'm sure there are lots of teams in WEC, WTCC, GP2 etc that would love to put Haas on the sides of their car. Or if he wants world wide coverage go and sponsor or buy a soccer team.