Keeping drivers for 2019 ‘pretty easy decision’ – Guenther Steiner

Haas boss Guenther Steiner says it was a “pretty easy decision” for the team to retain Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen for the 2019 Formula 1 season.

Haas confirmed on Friday morning that it will continue to field Grosjean and Magnussen next season, meaning it is set to be one of only two teams not to change its line-up.

Grosjean has been with Haas since it joined Formula 1 in 2016, having previously competed for Renault/Lotus, while Magnussen replaced Esteban Gutierrez for 2017, following prior spells at McLaren and Renault.

Haas was expected to keep the experienced pair for 2019, with Steiner having previously dismissed the notion of taking on a youngster, and he explained that continuity was a no-brainer.

RelatedPosts

How the Austrian GP cemented F1 2025 as a two-horse race

10 hours ago

Toto Wolff: Kimi Antonelli’s ‘unfortunate’ Austria F1 error ‘can happen to the greats’

11 hours ago

“From the very beginning, we needed experienced drivers to hasten the development of our car and our team,” said Steiner.

“We have two very good and experienced drivers in Romain and Kevin.

“We’ve improved drastically from last year to this year, so retaining both drivers was a pretty easy decision.

“I think the 100-point barrier [in the Constructors’ Championship] should be and will be broken, and we’ll do it with Romain and Kevin,”

“Both drivers push each other to be better, and their collective feedback allows us to be better.

“It’s not a coincidence that in their second year as team-mates, Haas is having its best year.

“By keeping Romain and Kevin together, we aim to do even better next year.”

Haas holds fifth position in the Constructors’ Championship, a gain of three places compared to its classification in the final 2016 and 2017 standings.