Haas F1 Team drivers Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen will drive the Stewart Racing’s NASCAR at Circuit of the Americas during US GP weekend.
As Haas moves towards its home grand prix i.e the US GP in the United States of America (USA) at COTA in Austin, their F1 drivers will get a taste of a NASCAR with Tony Stewart to guide both Grosjean and Magnussen with their respective runs.
The event will take place on Thursday at COTA where Stewart will first drive the #14 Haas Automation Ford Mustang from Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR). He will then make way for both Grosjean and Magnussen to have a go in the stock car.
“It’s kind of hard to believe that it’s been three years since I last drove a stock car, but seeing some of these road-course races – especially the Roval at Charlotte – have piqued my interest a bit, so this is a good way to sort of satisfy that hunger,” said Stewart.
“I’ve never been to COTA. All I know about it is what I’ve seen on TV and on my iRacing simulator. I kind of like that. Even after two decades in NASCAR, there’s still new stuff to experience. I haven’t driven that race track and Magnussen and Grosjean haven’t ever driven a stock car. We’ll figure it out together.”
“I think we just need to slam the brakes a bit earlier than we do with a F1 car,” said Grosjean. “We’ll see how the engine responds to throttle application. I can’t wait. The sound of it’s going to be great. I think it’s going to be a good experience.
“I think having Tony Stewart helping us and giving us advice is going to be bloody amazing. The closest to stock car I have driven is the Ford GT1 car I drove in 2010 in the FIA GT1 Championship.” At the same time, teammate, Magnussen added:
“I don’t have any idea how it’ll be. I’ve never driven a NASCAR before. I’m pretty certain it’s going to be very different to the other car I drive around COTA. It’s going to be a very interesting experience. A NASCAR is such an iconic racecar.
“I’ve always been eager to try one. Of course, it’s usually in its element on an oval, but they do race on road courses, as well. It’ll be interesting to have a go and have a bit of fun. I drove a GT2 car once, and a DTM, but I don’t think they’re similar to a stock car.”
Here’s the tyre choices of all drivers for US GP