The budget cap that was imposed on Formula 1 has been a topic that has gone through everyone's mouth in recent months. The teams have implemented various strategies to avoid spending more money than allowed by the International Automobile Federation. Ferrari was one of the teams that had to divert funds the most, one of the strategies to achieve this goal being to create a department that helps its client, Haas. We know that the Haas factory is in the United States, so Ferrari created this department based in Maranello, Italy. This can be a double-edged sword, as the staff who work there are in contact with Ferrari, so some developments from the Italian team to the North American team could be implemented, however, the distance between the factory and these staff is too much, making communication more difficult. Despite this, Haas team principal, Guenther Steiner, has claimed that the relationship Haas has with Ferrari has not drastically changed.

We have to remember that Haas' 2021 season was one of the worst they've ever had, if not the worst. They finished the season in last position and never scored a single point. It was a year of internal reconstruction in the team, even the North Americans decided not to develop their 2021 car to avoid distractions and focus all attention on the car they will be using this season, the VF-22. This single-seater was designed, in large part, by former Ferrari chief designer Simone Resta. And one of the great novelties was that its design was carried out (mostly) in the department located in Maranello, Italy.

"I would say that the relationship has not changed drastically, we have always had a good relationship." Haas team principal Guenther Steiner stated during a press conference where MotorLat was present. “This relationship [between Haas and Ferrari] is also regulated by the FIA ​​rules. We cannot do more just because we are located in Maranello.”

“It was convenient, there were offices available due to the looming budget cap and Ferrari had already planned the buildings. We took advantage of the fact that there was office space available and we have 30-35 people from Ferrari who moved to us due to the budget cap in Formula 1.” Steiner commented.

“The relationship, the collaboration has not changed [for] better or worse. It's very similar. We are now sitting inside Maranello with a large group of people. We always had people in the wind tunnel office, because now we have two offices in Maranello, one in the wind tunnel and one where the designers and aerodynamicists are during the week.”

With the VF-22 already introduced, the team expects it to be a better season than they had last year. Although the new car was presented a few days ago, it is expected that at the beginning of the pre-season tests it will be 100% presented, since it does not have several aerodynamic components that will be used in the tests and in the first race of the 2022 season. Haas has people who have worked with large teams, such as Ferrari, it is of great help to them since the knowledge acquired in the Italian team can be transferred to Haas. Even the North American team has always tried to use the largest number of Ferrari components (as long as they remain at the edge of the FIA ​​regulations), this with the aim of avoiding expenses and optimizing some operations that are of "greater importance".

“From the point of view of supply parameters, we try to maximize all the opportunities with Ferrari. We are the smallest team on the grid, so it is important for us to try to maximize those opportunities.” Simone Resta affirmed. “The regulations have measurably changed between last year and this year with the new component specification, etc.”

With two drivers already familiar with the team, Haas hopes to come back stronger and fight for some points in the races, to get off the bottom of the grid and put up more of a fight against teams like Alfa Romeo, Williams and even Aston Martin or Alpine.