New sponsor Haas does not decide on drivers

Ahead of the United States Grand Prix, Haas announced it had found a new title sponsor. US company Moneygram, which specialises in financial technology and digital payment methods, will be Haas' main backer from next year. With such a position, it is not unusual for the sponsor to also influence who drives the team, as was the case with Honda and Yuki Tsunoda, for example. But the leadership of both Moneygram and Haas has made it clear that this is definitely not the case now.

Haas team boss Guenther Steiner stressed that the company has put no pressure on the team to bring in an American driver. While acknowledging that Moneygram is obviously involved in the team and the choices being made, he also said that it was not part of the deal that Moneygram co-decides on the driver.

'We have full confidence in Guenther'

Moneygram's top brass also declared themselves impartial on the matter. CEO Alex Holmes said, "We want to be helpful, we want to be involved, we want good brand representation, we want to have a good association globally. But in terms of the drivers, we will follow in Gunther's footsteps. And whoever is driving the car, we will give them all the support in the world." Chief Marketing Officer Greg Hall added: "We have complete confidence in Guenther. It's a race team decision, and we have full confidence in them."

The seat at Haas is one of the last two seats for which no one has yet been confirmed. The battle appears to be between current Haas driver Mick Schumacher, Nico Hülkenberg and Antonio Giovinazzi. The latter will also drive for Haas during the first free practice this weekend.