Steiner: Haas only spoke to Magnussen for 2022 F1 seat

Haas team boss Guenther Steiner says Kevin Magnussen was the only driver that was considered as Nikita Mazepin’s replacement for the 2022 Formula 1 season.

Earlier this week, the American-owned squad announced the return of Magnussen on a multi-year deal after an vacancy arose within the team.

Haas recently parted ways with Nikita Mazepin and sponsor Uralkali following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Several drivers were linked to the seat, including Haas reserve Pietro Fittipaldi and former Alfa Romeo driver Antonio Giovinazzi.

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But when asked if Magnussen was the only driver Haas was in contact with, Guenther said: “Yes. 

“Because we talked before, and we said this is what we want to do, and go for it. And then if that doesn’t run, go for the next. 

“But don’t try to negotiate. You talk the whole day with people and then you don’t make any decisions, sometimes you have to make a decision and try to get it done.”

Magnussen is well-versed within the Haas team, having raced for it from 2017 to 2020.

Steiner says that his experience with the squad was a key factor in reaching out to him, after it ran with two rookies in 2021.

“After speaking with Gene, in the beginning, it’s always open, we always talk very openly between us about what is good, what is bad, why and why not,” he said. 

“We said ‘hey, let’s see Kevin’. I think there are a few advantages here, having him, he was here in the team. We have got only a week before the first race actually. 

“He knows the team, he’s well respected. He knows his way around. I think it’s good for Mick [Schumacher] as well to have a reference, because he has been in Formula 1. 

“He did six seasons, all these things came together, and then we said I think he’ll be the best choice. 

“But at that time, I didn’t know if he was available or if he wanted to drive, and even if he wanted to drive.

“I didn’t know if he could drive, because he had contracts in place and I didn’t know the details of his contracts. But then it went pretty smooth.”