The legendary brand of Maserati could reportedly return to Formula 1 for the first time in 60 years and become a title sponsor for Haas next season.
Fresh from Ferrari's strengthened partnership with Sauber, which will see the Alfa Romeo brand become major sponsors of the Swiss team, Sergio Marchionne – CEO of Ferrari and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (the parent company of both Alfa Romeo and Maserati – could pull the strings once again for the Haas team.
The American outfit have been self-funded in their first two years in Formula 1 and have, as it stands, a technical relationship with Ferrari who supply them with engine parts.
But, like Sauber, that partnership could be strengthened in the form of a major Ferrari-linked sponsor which some reports believe would generate an additional 20m Euros a year for Haas, who would feature the Maserati logo on their car. However, that will no doubt result in Ferrari having more of an input in Haas’ driver line-ups.
There is also another potential link between Haas and Maserati, as the American team work with Dallara on the chassis of their car. Dallara are close neighbours to Maserati and have also worked together on projects in the past.
Marchionne has recently suggested that a deal between Haas and Maserati could be in the pipeline.
"Is it possible for the Haas arrangement to turn into something other than what we have today? The answer is potentially ‘yes’," he said.
"But we’re very far away from a resolution on that matter, but it’s possible. We’ll see, time will tell."
Maserati has a rich history with Formula 1, with Juan Manuel Fangio winning two World Championships in a Maserati car in both 1954 and 1957.
Bookmarks