Haas duo Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen are waiting as the former has other options, while Sergio Perez is not happy with team hiding details.
The two Haas F1 seats along with the two at Alfa Romeo Racing are the only possible options for multiple drivers eyeing to get a look in. With Perez in the market now along with Nico Hulkenberg, it makes it much harder for some to seal the deal.
Additionally, there are certain F2 drivers looking to get in too. In fact, Haas F1 chief Guenther Steiner has made it mostly clear that they are looking at almost everyone and having someone like Perez would be really good for the team.
Also, the Italian is open to testing the F2 drivers if Ferrari asks them to do so. There are reports of Mick Schumacher driving for maybe Alfa Romeo but Haas could be an option too – not just the German but also Callum Ilott and Robert Shwartzman.
As for the current Haas drivers, Grosjean has been more vocal about his situation, at least in terms of information, as he has no qualms at looking outside F1 too, whether it is Formula E and or WEC. IndyCar is distant one as he doesn’t like to race at ovals.
“I mean yes obviously there aren’t many seats left in Formula 1, there are many candidates, I understand the point of view from Haas as well and not being in a rush,” said Grosjean to media including Motorsport Network, Racefans.net, Crash and more.
“I don’t think I’m in a rush either, there are options elsewhere as well, which can be interesting, but obviously Formula 1 is Formula 1 and coming from Mugello driving those cars there it is absolutely unique what I’m driving so F1 is still very appealing in that aspect.
“I guess it will take some time, still early in the year, many races to go, on my side not too much in a rush, just more thinking about driving the car, doing the best we can, and can score one or two points for Haas before the end of the year but I’ll most likely stay in Europe.
“America is IndyCar, beautiful championship, but I’m not really tempted by ovals and they even scare me. I don’t want to do ovals, so for America, there’s a few endurance championships but in the future Hypercar in Le Mans and WEC is nice, Formula E is definitely an option, there are some good drivers and team there, Formula 1 everyone can do the maths and see where the seats available are,” summed up Grosjean.
Haas teammate Magnussen added: “It’s a choice the team has to make and it will take whatever time they have to. I mean obviously I’m looking at everything right now, open to everything, I’ve had a great time with Haas these last few years and wouldn’t mind seeing that continue.
“But I’m a passionate racer and would like to explore other things in the future, I’ve always wanted to do other things than Formula 1, that time will come at some point, don’t know if it is next year or some point in the future, it’s pretty uncertain at the moment and I don’t know which way it’s going to go.
“It’s always nicer to have certainty and be content with what you’ve got, it’s always better to know what’s going to happen and focus on that, right now yeah it’s uncertain and I don’t know how long that’s going to take for Haas to decide, you’ve got to try and focus and get on with your job, even though the future is a bit uncertain.”
One of the key F1 drivers’ – as mentioned – linked to the seat is Racing Point’s Perez. The Mexican, for now, maintain his stance of checking various options but added that there will be more clarity by next week to make a better decision – he hasn’t mentioned if it will be Haas and or any other outfit like Alfa Romeo.
“There has been, obviously, contact with a couple of teams and talks,” he said. “I think in the next week or so I will know what exactly is a realistic option and what isn’t. But that’s something that I will keep between the teams and myself.
“I think everyone deserves the respect, they have current drivers, current discussions, so it’s something I will keep for myself. I need a motivation to keep going, to be training, to be giving my 100 per cent each lap that I do.
“I must make sure I’m able to get that project, a project that motivates me. If not, I won’t be continuing.” While he outlined the motivation aspect, Perez felt slightly miffed that Racing Point is already starting to hide some things from him for next year.
Already, he is in a bad position of not getting the upgrades with Lance Stroll using it at Mugello. He was expected to get one at Sochi but after the Canadian’s crash, the team could only prepare one, which the better driver in the championship gets to use.
The only part he has is the rear suspension. Additionally, Perez also cleared that he has no troubles with Sebastian Vettel, who will be replacing him. “We are focusing on the eight races ahead,” he said. “It’s going to be so crucial, that we deliver every single point is very important for the constructors’ championship.
“We still can have the best season in our history, if we manage to finish third. I think we’re all going to be very disappointed if we don’t get that third place in the constructors’ championship. Obviously since the news came out, some people inside the team tend to hide things, which I don’t think is great.
“I think at the moment we just have to be as transparent as possible to make sure we achieve our goals, and make sure that we score as many points as we possibly can. It’s going to be so crucial that we deliver every single point. It’s very important on the constructors championship.
“We still can have the best season in our history if we manage to finish third. I think we are all going to be very disappointed if we don’t get that third place in the constructors championship. As for my replacement, I don’t have anything against Seb, he’s a great guy, a great driver.
“I think he’s coming to a fantastic team, a team that I wished I carried on with, because I know how good they’re looking, especially for next year. I think obviously when you don’t get the outcome you want, you are going to be disappointed But I’ve been very long in this business, I understand the decisions behind it. So no hard feelings.”
UPDATE: Following his Thursday comments, Perez released a statement about being ‘all is well’ as they look to end their relation on a good note.
https://twitter.com/SChecoPerez/status/1309362528741396480?s=20
Here’s news on Racing Point and Haas prize money settlement
Here’s vote on which driver impressed so far, including Racing Point and Haas drivers
Here’s Racing Point, Haas on two-day Imola weekend
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