Steiner has no regrets about rookies: 'A different position then'

With Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg, Haas will have a very experienced driver duo in 2023. Quite a change compared to just a little over a year ago. Back then, the US team actually had two rookies under contract, namely Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher.

Because of the war in Ukraine, Haas said goodbye to Mazepin at the beginning of the year and Magnussen - surprisingly - returned. The very fact that Magnussen has so much experience made Haas make great steps: suddenly no longer the laughing stock of Formula 1, but a team that regularly achieved great performances. Magnussen's pole in Brazil was the ultimate proof.

Better position

Schumacher lagged behind Magnussen, which contributed to Haas saying goodbye to Schumacher. With a second experienced man added, Haas thinks it will be further ahead on the grid. Still, team boss Günther Steiner has no regrets about contracting two rookies in the 2021 season. "No, absolutely not," he told Speedcafe. “Because, two years ago, were in a different position, and now we’re in a different position again.So, I think we’re in a lot better position now in Formula 1 in general than two years ago, when we had to find solutions [for] how to keep on going.”

With the last remark, Haas is referring to his team's financial situation. At the time, the Americans desperately needed Uralkali's money to survive. Mazepin's father is the rich owner of this Russian company and he bought his son in with many millions. With Moneygram, Haas has a big new main sponsor for 2023, so there is no need to bring in a paying driver.