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Rob Smedley doubts Haas's potential as F1 frontrunners

Motorsport.com • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 13, 2026, 10:53 AM

Last updated Aug 13, 2026

Rob Smedley doubts Haas's potential as F1 frontrunners

Summary

Rob Smedley, a former Ferrari Formula 1 race engineer, expressed skepticism about Haas's ability to compete at the front of the grid. He highlighted that the structure of the team, which heavily depends on a technical partnership with Ferrari, is limiting. Since joining the F1 grid in 2016, Haas's reliance on this partnership has facilitated their entry but also contributed to inconsistent performances mid-season. Smedley’s comments raise concerns about the team's future competitiveness in the championship.

Source Links

Motorsport.com

Key Details

•Rob Smedley questions Haas's capability to become a frontrunning team.
•Haas joined F1 in 2016 under a technical partnership with Ferrari.
•The team’s approach has led to inconsistent mid-season performances.
•Smedley’s remarks highlight potential challenges ahead for Haas.

Latest Updates

10:53 AMMotorsport.com — Rob Smedley casts doubt on Haas's chances of becoming F1 frontrunners

What they're saying

"
Former Ferrari Formula 1 race engineer Rob Smedley has argued that the structure of Haas will prevent it from becoming a frontrunning team in the championship. The American outfit joined the F1 grid in 2016, relying heavily on a technical partnership with Ferrari. While the approach allowed Haas to enter the championship in a more cost-effective manner, it has often contributed to a mid-season ...Keep reading
— Motorsport.com

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