Haas F1 team signs American teenager to development deal

Formula 1 newcomer Haas has signed the first American driver to its books in Santino Ferrucci

The 17-year-old will serve as the team's development driver, combining the role with a full campaign in GP3 with DAMS.

Ferrucci will attend grands prix and tests throughout the year, while also participating in the team's simulator programme.

"In Formula 1, developing your personnel is as important as developing your race car. You can't have one without the other," said team principal Gunther Steiner.

"Santino has done a very good job of proving himself in each of the racing series he's competed in, and his maturity outside of the race car is impressive.

"We see Santino as a young, American driver with a lot of potential, and his opportunity with DAMS is an excellent way for him to further his development while positioning Haas for future success."

Ferrucci, who has spent the past two years predominantly focusing on European Formula 3, said: "My goal since I first started racing was to become a Formula 1 driver, and to be an American who is part of an American team is something I take a tremendous amount of pride in.

"There is still a lot of work I need to do, but being paired with Haas will allow me to learn more and at a faster rate.

"It'll allow me to make the most of my GP3 drive with DAMS and, ultimately, prepare me for Formula 1."