Despite Bernie Ecclestone’s recent warning, Gene Haas is pushing ahead with his plans to enter F1 in 2015.
After Haas, a Nascar team co-owner, responded to the FIA’s invitation to fill the vacant team slot, Ecclestone said publicly he doubts the Californian is prepared to spend what it takes to compete in F1.
"He doesn’t think we will get the license," Haas responded, "so my chances probably aren’t that great of a shot."
Nevertheless, Italy’s specialist Autosprint reports that Haas is pushing ahead.
Correspondent Alberto Antonini said Haas is preparing to meet the FIA’s next application deadline of February 10, including demonstrating its ability and willingness to compete with an adequate budget.
Autosprint also said Haas, whose project involves the former F1 personality Gunther Steiner, is pushing ahead with plans to field a Dallara chassis in 2015, mated to Ferrari’s V6 and energy-recovery ’power unit’.
"We look forward to future developments," Antonini added.