Haas F1 play down prospect of Danica Patrick joining new team in 2016

"We haven't made our decision on the drivers and I cannot say no or yes," he said. "At the moment, we are evaluating quite a lot of people; we'd really like someone with experience, because we need it: we're a new team with a lot of new things. So let's get something in which is a known quantity. "We've no rush. We’ve got good interest from drivers. Let's see what comes along and then in a few months, when we're further down the line, we can decide who we take."

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has played down the prospect of Danica Patrick driving for the team next season, saying they want a "known quantity" behind the wheel. The IndyCar turned NASCAR star has been linked to the new American team - quite some story were it to happen, considering that a woman has not started a grand prix since 1976. Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ at the Canadian GP, however, Steiner reckoned that Patrick, 33, would prefer to stay where she is. "It would put us on the map one way or another," he said. "But I think Danica's career, she’s quite happy where she is at the moment. For her to make the move is a big risk; I don't she really wants to do it at this stage in her career." Steiner said that Haas, formed by American industrialist and NASCAR team owner Gene Haas, are seeking drivers with F1 experience.

"We haven't made our decision on the drivers and I cannot say no or yes," he said. "At the moment, we are evaluating quite a lot of people; we'd really like someone with experience, because we need it: we're a new team with a lot of new things. So let's get something in which is a known quantity. "We've no rush. We’ve got good interest from drivers. Let's see what comes along and then in a few months, when we're further down the line, we can decide who we take."

Stuart Broad feeling confident ahead of Ashes Series

Stuart Broad believes England are more than capable of matching Australia in the Ashes Series if they perform to the best of their ability. Australia are 2/7 with Sky Bet to win the Ashes and look set to head to England in winning form after wrapping up a nine-wicket victory over West Indies on Friday in the first match of their two-Test series, but fast bowler Broad expects England to provide them with a tough test under new coach Trevor Bayliss. Broad, who was at Epsom to watch the Derby, told Sky Sports News HQ: “Australia are in fantastic form but we also have to remember that our record in England is really good.

“Australia haven’t won an Ashes series in England since 2001, which is quite a long time, so we have to realise our strengths. We can’t fear the Australians, we can’t build the Australians up to be something they’re not. “We have to go into the Ashes Series with a lot of belief that we can win that and perform to our ability. “I actually believe that if we have our key players perform; the likes of Alastair Cook who has come back into some amazing form, we know the damage he can do at the top of the order, Joe Root in the middle and obviously we have got some good bowlers. “I think if we perform to the best of our ability we will be right up there.”

Broad is also predicting an exciting five-match series if England continue to produce the type of positive cricket under Australian Bayliss that has just led to a thrilling two-match drawn series against New Zealand. “To be honest I’ve never met Trevor,” he said. “But I’ve heard some really good reports, he likes the players to take responsibility, etc. We saw from the New Zealand series that when we played attacking, on-the-front-foot cricket it really suited us. “So the players will be keen to continue that sort of front-foot cricket. It’s exciting to watch, it’s exciting to play and if we do that I think the Ashes Series will be a special one to watch.” Broad has been rested for the forthcoming one-day international series against.

New Zealand and has reluctantly accepted that decision ahead of the first Ashes Test which starts in Cardiff on July 8. “You want to be involved in every game that England play as a player,” he said. “But there has been quite a lot of discussion throughout the winter about there being 16 Test matches this year, so trying to stay as fresh as possible for that. “So Jimmy (Anderson) and myself, Ian Bell, Mo (Moeen Ali) are going to get some red-ball cricket in, because obviously the Ashes coming up is a huge time for us, five pretty much back-to-back Test matches and we want to stay as fresh as possible to try and regain that urn.” Watch the first one-day international between England and New Zealand live on Sky Sports 2 from 1.30pm on Tuesday.