Despite new collaboration, Steiner looks towards 2022: 'Learn a lot this year'

It was clear that the course would change at Haas in 2021. With two Rookies, Haas is taking a path that not many teams travel, and not everyone was equally enthusiastic about Nikita Mazepin's arrival. His father, chairman and majority shareholder of Uralchem (the umbrella organization of Uralkali), now takes care of the new title sponsor.

Steiner looks ahead with Haas

"I happily echo Mr. Haas’s comments, we are pleased to be partnered by Uralkali this season and beyond. We approach a new season with a new title partner and two new drivers, it’s going to be an exciting year head – hopefully exciting only in a good way though. We face a year of learning with the drivers while technically we look ahead to the future," stated team principal Guenther Steiner in the press release.

"It’s no secret that the VF-21 will not be developed as we focus our energies now on the 2022 car and, what we hope, will be a more level playing field. We all know roughly where we expect to be this season in terms of the competition, but we must ensure we’re there to capitalize on opportunities when they present themselves. But first, we have to get the guys dialled in at testing. Time behind the wheel is short – so it’ll be a steep curve, but I’m personally looking forward to seeing their development as drivers and as team members within Uralkali Haas F1 Team.”