Steiner wants to see more US support for F1 rookie Sargeant

According to Haas boss Guenther Steiner, next Formula 1 debutant Logan Sargeant could benefit from a bit more home support from his fans. Steiner, who currently lives in America, feels that too little attention is currently given to the huge country’s Sargeant, as the United States has had little to no representation in Formula 1 in recent years.

Formula 1 is now also very popular in the United States. Thanks in particular to the Netflix series Drive to Survive, the number of F1 fans and followers has increased significantly in recent years. As motorsport’s premier class prepares for a new season, an American driver will also make an appearance on the grid: Williams driver Logan Sargeant. His debut will mean the huge country will be represented in Formula 1 for the first time since 2015.

A combination of a full-time driver with US nationality and the huge Formula 1 hype in the country should mean Sargeant could count on plenty of support from his home country. However, according to Haas team boss Guenther Steiner, who currently lives in the United States, attention around Sargeant is currently lacking.

Speaking to Texas broadcaster KVUE, Steiner said the arrival of an American in Formula 1 is “a good development”, but added that he would like to see “more support” from America: “A American is coming to Formula 1, and there’s quite a bit of attention to that. I kinda miss that, because everyone says ‘we want an American driver.’ Now there’s a driver in Formula 1, and he will need all the support. At the moment, I don’t see him.”

Steiner was a guest on Texas broadcaster KVUE earlier this month, where he was asked what it would take to get his Haas team to hire an American driver. “We really want this to happen, but the question ‘what should happen’ is not enough. In my opinion, there should be a (full) development of an American driver, and that is very difficult. “

“Two years ago we had two rookies, the first year (inexperienced driver). As a team we are still very young. We are still the newest Formula 1 team. At the moment we have to d “first achieve more performance so that we as a team can be better and get stronger. Only then will we be ready to employ an American driver.”

“That’s why we decided not to hire an American driver. What is needed? You need an experienced driver (to drive for Haas), but there isn’t one at the moment.”