Steiner outlines main Haas aim: 'We need to build up again'

Haas F1 Team Principal Guenther Steiner has explained the team's main aims after securing its driver pairing for the 2024 Formula 1 season.

Both Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg will continue to drive for the team for next year, giving it continuity having changed the driver lineup every year since the 2020 season.

Steiner explained the reasons behind keeping both when speaking to media, including RacingNews365: "With the drivers, we are in a good place at the moment. After our bad seasons, we need to build-up again," he said.

"Obviously with Nico, we never worked with him before, but he fitted in very well with the team. He’s an asset to the team, like Kevin, and it was a very easy decision, what we are going to be doing. They both fit in, they just like what they are doing."

Drivers helping develop team

Both Hulkenberg and Magnussen have a combined F1 experience of 18 full seasons between them.

Steiner has already admitted that he is not confident the team can finish ahead of Williams in the Constructors' Championship in 2023, but believes the experience from the drivers will help improve its fortunes.

"They are helping us to develop the team again, which was always the aim: to have two experienced drivers, just to keep on building the team," said Steiner.

"At the moment, our weakest part is the car. We need to have a better car and we are working on it, and they are actively involved in that, and they enjoy it.

"I don’t have to ask them for their input, they really want to know what’s going on and they both are confident that we can get it sorted out, that we are getting back where we want to be.

"I think the relationship on a personal level is good with both of them, so on the driver-side, it’s all good. A lot of other things to do."