Haas reveals new Uralkali livery for its 2021 F1 campaign
Haas F1 Team have today revealed their updated livery for the 2021 Formula One season. The actual VF-21 car is not yet shown but the team have already confirmed it is putting all resources on 2022 to be ready for the major regulation changes that await teams.
Images of the entry that will be driven by the team’s all-rookie lineup of Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher were released on Thursday, showcasing a new predominantly white livery with significant Uralkali branding. Haas Automation, the global CNC machine tool company founded by team owner Gene Haas, continues to adorn the sidepods with its prominent branding a familiar sight as the American outfit readies for its sixth season of Formula 1 competition.
The VF-21 will make its physical debut on Friday March 12 – the first day of pre-season testing hosted at the Bahrain International Circuit. Mazepin and Schumacher will be on-hand to present the car at 08:30 a.m. local time outside of the Uralkali Haas F1 Team garage. With pre-season testing limited to just three days ahead of the start of a planned 23-race schedule, Mazepin and Schumacher will both feature behind the wheel each day of testing in Bahrain.
“I’m very pleased to welcome Uralkali to Formula 1 as title partner to Haas F1 Team,” said Gene Haas, chairman of Uralkali Haas F1 Team. “We look forward to representing their brand throughout the season. It’s an exciting time for the team with Uralkali coming onboard and having Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher driving for us. It’s definitely a case of all change but I’m hoping that we get back to being in the mix for scoring some points at these races. It’s been a tough couple of seasons, but we’ve also got our eye on the bigger picture, in particular 2022 and the implementation of the new regulations.”
“I happily echo Mr. Haas’s comments, we are pleased to be partnered by Uralkali this season and beyond,” stated team principal Guenther Steiner. “We approach a new season with a new title partner and two new drivers, it’s going to be an exciting year head – hopefully exciting only in a good way though. We face a year of learning with the drivers while technically we look ahead to the future. It’s no secret that the VF-21 will not be developed as we focus our energies now on the 2022 car and, what we hope, will be a more level-playing field. We all know roughly where we expect to be this season in terms of the competition, but we must ensure we’re there to capitalize on opportunities when they present themselves. But first we have to get the guys dialed in at testing. Time behind the wheel is short – so it’ll be a steep curve, but I’m personally looking forward to seeing their development as drivers and as team members within Uralkali Haas F1 Team.”
The VF-21 will be Gene Haas’ sixth Formula 1 car, continuing a strong relationship with Ferrari that sees them take the power unit and all non-listed parts from the Scuderia.
Haas have opted for an all-new rookie line-up this year, replacing Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean with F2 champion Mick Schumacher and F2 rival Nikita Mazepin.
