Haas Formula 1 team refutes Rich Energy's Saudi takeover claims

Even though Rich Energy agreed to terminate its sponsorship deal with Haas following the Italian Grand Prix, the energy drinks company has continued to post social media linked to the team.

In one Tweet ahead of the Singapore GP weekend, Rich Energy wished the team luck "in negotiations seeling the team to Saudi investors".

We wish @HaasF1Team the best of luck in negotiations selling the team to Saudi investors. An excellent team and great investment #haasf1 #sale #business #F1 #Singaporegp#richenergy #betterthanredbull #Saudi #MiddleEast #Motorsport pic.twitter.com/ICKWJsKufN

— Rich Energy (@rich_energy) September 19, 2019

But that post has bemused Steiner, who is adamant that the team is not for sale and knows nothing about any disussions with individuals from Saudi Arabia.

"I don't know how to respond," he said, when asked by Autosport about the Rich Energy claim.

"I wish the investors also good luck and thank you. I don't know them."

While Haas owner Gene Haas has expressed some frustration this season at the way his outfit has been unable to make the progress hoped for, he remains committed to F1 for now.

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Steiner is clear that as far as he was aware, there was no indication that Haas wanted to sell his operation.

"No, you cannot buy it," he said.

"It is one of their [Rich Energy's] tweets and I don't answer to tweets or anything.

"It's not us. I don't want to go there."