Haas hoping to sign an American driver

(Skysports.com)

Gene Haas is hoping that his new Formula One team Haas Formula will be able to sign an American driver alongside an experienced Formula One driver to drive in the team's debut season in the sport in 2016. Haas had said that he would find it fantastic to have Danica Patrick in Formula One however Patrick will be 34 by the time Haas enters Formula One so it is unlikely that she will make her Formula One debut despite her experience in open wheel racing.

Tony Stewart, who currently runs Stewart Haas Racing in NASCAR alongside Haas has already ruled himself out of driving in Formula One. 

Another of Haas' NASCAR driver's Kurt Busch has also ruled himself out of the running for a driver in the F1 team. The American took part in this year's Indianapolis 500 where he finished in 6th place and took home the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of year award. Busch has also stated his desire to do some IndyCar running this season.

Another driver who could be in line for a drive with Haas is current Caterham test and reserve driver Alexanader Rossi who has experience of Formula One and of the new 16. litre V6 turbocharged power units. 

Haas is also looking for an experienced driver and one driver that could fit the bill is Heikki Kovalainen who could be a possible candidate for a race seat. At this moment in time however, Gene Haas is just concentrating on agreeing an engine partner and technical partner before deciding who drive for the team however any decision in relation to driver line-ups will lie with team principal Guenther Steiner as he is the one who will be on the pit-wall and will the team day to day.

© Ben Johnston 2014