Update | Steiner on 2021 drivers: "Everything is possible in the moment"
F1 News
- GPblog.com
On Thursday the rumor emerged that Hulkenberg would have a seat with Haas in 2021. If that's true and he takes Grosjean's chair, then that results in an interesting situation. In the past it turned out that Hulkenberg and Magnussen are not each other's best friends, although the two have indicated that it is behind them. In the meantime, neither Magnussen nor Grosjean want to talk about their future with the team, given that it is still uncertain.
Conversations come naturally
From the answers given by both drivers at the press conference on Thursday, it appears that they have not yet discussed an extension of their contract. "There are not many seats available, but it's great that Haas stays in Formula 1, which offers opportunities", said Grosjean at the press conference attended by Formule1.nl.
"With all the triple-headers we are focusing on the races, but the talks will come," said the Frenchman who expects to talk to Haas. The same sound can also be heard from the mouth of Kevin Magnussen, who also says he hasn't talked about his future contract with the team yet.
"It has been busy with all the triple-headers. It wasn't the right time to talk about our contracts while the team was still discussing the future," says Magnussen, referring to the latter's Concorde Agreement negotiations. Now that that is behind us, Magnussen expects to get things moving quickly.
"I expect the talks to start now," says the Dane. So it is still completely unclear for both drivers whether they will remain active in Formula 1 in 2021, let alone Haas. So the road is still open for Hulkenberg, but the question is who will sit next to him. If the German goes to Haas at all.
Update | Steiner responds to seats for 2021
Team boss Guenther Steiner has also entered the discussion about the line-up for next season at the American race team. At Autosport.com Steiner says: "We are looking at all the drivers, and we haven't made the decision. I'm not trying to be evasive. We just got the Concorde [Agreement] done and I did not speak with Gene [Haas] about drivers yet."
The opinion of the team owner certainly counts. "I want his input on the drivers, so that will come soon. As soon as he can make it to a race we will sit down and discuss it. But at the moment, everything is on the table from keeping the drivers we have got, to getting two rookies. So if you want the seat you can apply for it! Everything is possible in the moment", said the 55-year-old chief.