Steiner hopes current Haas drivers look elsewhere

Finley Crebolder
Haas Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen Haas

Haas gift Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen steering wheels.

As Haas decides its 2021 line-up, Guenther Steiner says that he hopes Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen are looking elsewhere.

The American team has yet to fill either seat for next season, and the team principal previously stated that there were as many as 10 drivers on the shortlist.

It now looks as if the search is coming to an end, with Steiner claiming on Friday that the decision is going to be made in the “next few weeks”.

When it is, the Italian says that Grosjean and Magnussen will be the first to be told.

“Because they deserve it,” he told motorsport-total.com.

“Whether you stay or not – you have to know. You have to be the first to know.”

“Usually we’re always pretty good at these things, but we need a little longer this year.”

As the current line up waits for their team to decide, both have spoken about what they could do away from Formula 1, with Grosjean revealing that he’s planning on getting in touch with Peugeot about a World Endurance Championship drive.

“We will get in touch sometime, as this is a project I’m hugely interested in for the future,” Grosjean said, as quoted by Autosport.

“A French constructor at one of the greatest races in the world, for sure it’s a nice project.”

Get your hands on the official Haas 2020 collection via the Formula 1 store

Given his temperament, many would think that this would anger Steiner, but that’s not the case.

He’s not only happy for both the Frenchman and the Dane to start looking for options elsewhere but is actively hoping that they are.

“You (Grosjean and Magnussen) will have a look around because everyone does,” he added.

“I’m not angry either. If you talk to someone and check availability, you are not yet committed.

“You will talk to other racing teams, other people. At least that’s what I hope they do. That’s what they have these people (management) for.

“I’m not angry when they talk to others. And I’ll tell them whether they stay or not.”

It’s looking more and more likely that both of the current Haas drivers will be racing outside of F1 next year.

Steiner doesn’t want older drivers that could be past their best by 2022 and is therefore seemingly leaning towards younger options.

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