NASCAR Cup Series

Gene Haas pleased to be granted Formula One license

Published Apr. 11, 2014 12:10 p.m. ET

foxsports

Stewart-Haas Racing co-owner Gene Haas has officially been granted a Formula One license by the FIA.

"Obviously, we're extremely pleased to have been granted a Formula One license by the FIA. It's an exciting time for me, Haas Automation and anyone who wanted to see an American team return to Formula One," Haas said in a statement released Friday. "Now, the really hard work begins. It's a challenge we embrace as we work to put cars on the grid.

"I want to thank the FIA for this opportunity and the diligence everyone put forth to see our license application come to fruition."

At last weekend's race in Bahrain, Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone said while Haas' application was accepted, "whether they make it or not is a different story."