Haas Formula 1 boss Guenther Steiner has admitted that it would be “very difficult” for the team to grant an opportunity to two rookie drivers again after its previous experience handling that situation.
Haas elected to field an all-new driver line-up comprising rookies Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher in 2021 amid the expectation it would struggle with an underdeveloped car.
However, Mazepin was ousted after Russia invaded Ukraine on the eve of the 2022 season, paving the way for Kevin Magnussen to complete an unexpected return to F1.
Meanwhile, a challenging sophomore campaign for Schumacher saw him replaced by Nico Hulkenberg for 2023 to form one of the most experienced pairings on the grid.
Earlier this year, Steiner reaffirmed that Haas “needed experience to bring the team forward”, prompting the renewals of both Hulkenberg and Magnussen for next season.
But despite both only being signed to one-year deals, Steiner has conceded that it’s unlikely the American outfit would entertain the possibility of nurturing a younger driver.
“I mean, I think we learned enough to say that two rookies is more than a handful,” Steiner made in reference to that tough 2021 season. “It would be very difficult.”
Ahead of last season, the FIA introduced a new rule stipulating that teams must give two practice sessions per season to a driver yet to compete in more than two grands prix.
Haas fulfilled that obligation by fielding Ferrari Academy prospect Oliver Bearman, who was noted as being “very impressive” by Director of Engineering Ayao Komatsu.
While he agreed with Schumacher’s view that young drivers in F1 aren’t afforded enough time, Steiner denied that more testing time with current-spec cars is the solution.
When asked to provide his thoughts on whether rookies are granted sufficient opportunities to sample the latest F1 machinery, Steiner replied: “What is enough?
“Obviously you can say, no, but then again, we don’t want testing because then we go out and test the cars and spend money, money, money.
“So I think now what a lot of these drivers are doing, they’re running with the older cars. These older cars, they’re still pretty fast cars.
“I think they can make experience that way if a manufacturer pushes a young driver.
“So they’ve got the opportunity there. And then you have got FP1s, but obviously, would the drivers like to have more possibility to learn about F1? Sure.
“It is what it is and I think with the compromise that they can run two-year-old cars, I think we are fine.”
Following the announcement that Logan Sargeant will retain his place at Williams, the F1 grid will remain unchanged for the first time in the sport’s entire history in 2024.
Discussion about this post