Steiner looking to avoid 'war of words' over Rich Energy claim

Haas Formula 1 chief Güenther Steiner says he wants to avoid a “war of words” over a claim Rich Energy has cancelled its title sponsorship agreement, but plans to deal with the matter following this weekend’s British Grand Prix.

Rich Energy claimed on Twitter late on Wednesday night that it had terminated its title sponsorship agreement with Haas due to “poor performance”, with brand founder William Storey telling The Sun: “A milkfloat at [the] back of the grid is a disaster for us.”

However, Haas issued a statement on Thursday morning saying Rich Energy remained the team’s title partner, with its branding remaining in place on its hospitality and on the VF-19 car at Silverstone.

Speaking to the media on Thursday at Silverstone, Haas chief Steiner said he could not say much beyond the statement that had been issued.

“I’m sorry guys, I would like to tell you more, but I cannot. I hope you respect that,” Steiner said.

“I don’t want to put anybody in a difficult situation, but I cannot say anything about that. They will be on the car this weekend, and then the rest, we need to sort out going forwards what we are doing.

“The commercial agreement doesn’t let me talk about it, and I don’t want to. There’s no point to stir anything more up. That’s what it is.”

Steiner admitted he was surprised to see the tweet from Rich Energy, but dealing with the matter was “part of the job” of running an F1 team.

“You can do without it, but it’s not like I’m staying up at night thinking about it. We get on with our job,” he said.

“For me what is more important is to get the car back where we want to be, and that is our focus. It’s important, but at this moment in time, it’s part of the job and you need to deal with it.”

While Haas currently sits P9 in the constructors’ championship, the team has impressed on occasion this year, and qualified fifth for the last race in Austria.

Asked if he was biting his tongue over claims of underperformance, Steiner said: “It’s pretty easy for me.

“As I said to you guys before, it’s being professional about it. I think I’m known to be professional. When I speak, I speak, when I cannot, I don’t speak.

“There’s no point to go into a war of words about something. It doesn’t even upset me. It’s just something I need to deal with next week, and I will.”

There has been no further comment from Rich Energy on the matter, but it has been suggested that Storey may have sent the tweet unauthorised from the account himself, making it possible the partnership could remain in place moving forward.