The Haas F1 Team has revealed a striking new livery for its VF-21 to be driven by rookie duo Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin.
Haas has signed Uralkali as its naming rights sponsor, a Russian fertiliser producer and exporter partially owned by Mazepin’s father Dmitry.
Owned by team founder Gene Haas, CNC machine tool company Haas Automation features prominently on the sidepods.
The team has released renders of the car with its physical debut set for March 12 on Day 1 of pre-season testing at Bahrain International Circuit.
“I’m very pleased to welcome Uralkali to Formula 1 as title partner to Haas F1 Team,” said Haas.
“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.”
The team has already stated it will put very little effort into developing its 2021 car, with its focus firmly on the 2022 season when new regulations come into effect.
Guenther Steiner, team principal, echoed Haas’ comments.
“We approach a new season with a new title partner and two new drivers, it’s going to be an exciting year ahead – hopefully exciting only in a good way though,” said Steiner.
“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 capitalise on opportunities when they present themselves. But first, we have to get the guys dialled 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.”
Schumacher and Mazepin replace Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen at the team this year.
Schumacher, son of seven-time world champion Michael, comes to the team off the back of winning last year’s FIA Formula 2 Championship with Prema.
Mazepin, meanwhile, was fifth for Hitech Grand Prix.
Grosjean and Magnussen have since picked up drives in the United States, racing in the IndyCar Series and IMSA SportsCar Championship respectively.
Last year Haas finished ninth in the standings ahead of Williams.
Grosjean was the team’s best-placed driver in 19th just ahead of Magnussen in 20th, a ninth place finish the team’s best result by the Frenchman at the Eifel Grand Prix.
Magnussen of Denmark finished a season-best 10th at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
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