Gene Haas says he will not force Romain Grosjean to stay at the new American outfit if a "top team" wants to sign him.
A tough weekend in China aside, Frenchman Grosjean has been impressive for the Ferrari-linked outfit so far, amid his obvious desire to one day switch to the works team.
Ferrari has a potential vacancy for 2017 and team founder Haas said: "I would never hold on to a reluctant driver.
"Romain is happy now, but if one of the two top teams offered him a contract and was ready to pay the termination clause, it would be silly not to accept it," the Californian is quoted by Tuttosport.
"Romain is a good guy and if he gets the chance to fight for the title it would not be fair if he was not able to try," Haas added.