Haas: Necessary furlough not about ‘hoarding money’
April 27, 2020
Haas team boss Guenther Steiner says the recent furlough implemented by the American outfit at its factory isn’t about “trying to hoard money” but to ensure its staff has a job in the future.
As a result of the coronavirus crisis and its impact on F1, Haas has temporarily laid off the majority of its workers at its Banbury base, electing to receive – like McLaren, Williams, Renault and Racing Point – the support of the UK government’s scheme that covers 80% of furloughed staff salaries.
Steiner says the process was inevitable for Haas and entails nothing “malicious”.
Haas to remain patient amid crisis, but not forever – Steiner
“You never take it well, but most of our people understand why we are doing it,” says Steiner, speaking to the official F1 website.
“This is not to cut them short, it’s to make sure they have a job in the future. There is nothing malicious, we’re not being cheap or trying to hoard money. We try to do the best we can.
“A lot of people have lost their jobs [in other industries]. So as long as we can keep the jobs, that is what we try to do.”
The small American team which entered F1 in 2016 races with one of the lowest budgets on the grid.
Like everyone, Steiner is hoping for the best, but with limited resources and reserves, the Italian must also plan for the worst.
“We have very limited income,” he explained. “FOM (Formula One Management) tries to help. But we don’t know if we go back racing.
“I personally think we will but you have to plan for the worst, that we have no income from FOM.
“And if we have no income someone needs to pay – and those funds are limited. It wouldn’t be right to pay if nothing has happened.”
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