Gene Haas, owner of Formula 1's newest team which is set to make its debut this season, believes the Haas driver line-up, consisting of Romain Grosjean and Esteban Gutierrez, will complement one another with their past experience.
Grosjean has joined the team from Lotus, where he drove for four full seasons, scoring ten podiums in the process, whilst Gutierrez spent two full seasons with Sauber before taking up a Ferrari test and reserve role in 2015.
Haas believes the pair therefore having differing skill sets which will not only serve the team well in its opening season, but will allow Grosjean and Gutierrez to learn from one another.
"Gutierrez has been a Ferrari test driver, so he’s up to speed with simulators and Ferrari equipment," the American told Sports Business Daily Global.
"He has driven some of the Ferrari cars, so he’s going to be a little bit further ahead," added Haas, referring to their technical partnership with Ferrari, of which they have not only sourced their power unit but many other components as well.
"Grosjean as a current Formula 1 driver is going to be more familiar with the tracks, requirements and tyre strategies. We have none of that knowledge now.
"Most teams will develop a book as they go from race to race, year after year and you look at those notes. We don’t have a notebook, so we have to develop all of that," he added.
"I think that’s where Romain will have an advantage, and then Gutierrez will have the advantage on the equipment side since he’s going to be more familiar with it. Those two guys together will be able to complement each other and give us a better package."
Discussion about this post