15/01/2015
NEWS STORY
Alexander Rossi believes a seat with Haas in 2016 would benefit F1's ambitions in the United States.
Just when it looked as though the youngster might make his F1 debut, it all went rather sour.
Having formerly cut ties with Caterham - for whom he was test and reserve driver - in the wake of the team's purchase by a Swiss/Middle East consortium, a move which also saw him quit Caterham's GP2 team, just over a week later he joined rivals Marussia.
A behind the scenes difference of opinion looked likely to see the American make his race debut in Belgium until the matter was quietly resolved and Max Chilton was given back his car back.
Amidst talk that Rossi might yet make his race debut in Austin, his home Grand Prix, fate played a hand when Jules Bianchi was critically injured in Japan. While the team initially planned to race Rossi it was subsequently decided to enter just Chilton and leave the second car silent out of respect for the Frenchman who was fighting for his life.
Weeks later, it was clear that Rossi had jumped from frying pan to fire, Marussia, like his former team, entering administration.
Despite his understandable disillusionment, Rossi hasn't given up on F1, far from it, and is targeting a seat with Haas F1 in its debut season, the youngster claiming such a move would be beneficial for all, including the sport.
"I am indeed interested in HAAS and a race seat with them would certainly be something I’m interested in for 2016," he told Italy's f1web.it. "I have the relationships and understand F1 from my experience.
"I firmly believe to increase the presence of Formula 1 in the states there needs to be an American driver for the fans to really get behind," he added. "HAAS adds the team element that takes it one step further."
Whilst interest in F1 in the United States appears, to some, to be waning, Rossi believes it has a strong future.
"Each year I return to COTA for the Grand Prix," he continued. "The sport is definitely growing in the states and we have something great to build on with Haas coming into F1. I’m incredibly proud to be a part of the development of F1 in America. I’ve spent the last six years working toward an F1 race seat and came very close this past year on several occasions. We’ve pioneered something great and we must keep pushing."
Chris Balfe