Gene Haas should not run his new Formula 1 team from the United States, according to former McLaren driver John Watson.

The NASCAR team owner has been allowed onto the grid for 2015, but he will conduct most of their operations from North Carolina rather than Europe, where most of the F1 paddock is based.

He told Sky Sports: "He's going to be basing his car around the Dallara, I believe, made in Italy.

"So why base yourself in North America when everything has to be flown from Europe to North America to be assembled to be transported back for a European season? I would imagine you're already starting on the back foot by basing your team in North Carolina.

"[Buying a team] would be the obvious route to take. There are a number of teams in the marketplace right now that could be available, but so far they've chosen this other direction. Maybe that might change before the end of the season."

The new Haas outfit is one of two new teams granted entry into Formula 1 for next season, with the identity of the second team yet to be revealed.