Guenther Steiner believes that Nico Hulkenberg's arrival into the Haas Formula 1 team has allowed for a "healthy competition" to develop with Kevin Magnussen. Hulkenberg made his full-time return to the sport for the 2023 season after three years on the sidelines, though made several substitute appearances in this time for Racing Point/Aston Martin to stand in for drivers forced to miss races due to COVID-19. The German replaced Mick Schumacher at the Haas squad, and Steiner thinks that having an experienced driver as a benchmark has been positive for Magnussen.
Hulkenberg provides 'benchmark' for Magnussen
When asked about the impact of Hulkenberg on Magnussen and whether the Dane has had to raise his game, Steiner told media, including RacingNews365.com : "It's difficult [to say]. "That’s a better question for Kevin than for me – but I think he puts an effort in and for him it's good to have a benchmark. That's what I think. "Nico is doing a good job. I [was] quite surprised when he came in, how quick he was [and] at the speed he is at, at the moment, because a lot of people said after three years, as not a full-time driver, it will take half a year to get back into it. "I think it didn't take him half a year – and if it did, what can we expect in the second half of the season?"
'Healthy competition' between drivers
Steiner believes that Magnussen enjoys having Hulkenberg as a benchmark. "I think it’s a good thing for Kevin," the Haas team boss explained. "He has a benchmark, and he needs to get there, and he's loving it. "If Nico's in front of him, he's not getting angry or anything, he tries to beat him, and that is what we want. "We want to have a healthy competition within the team." Haas currently sit P7 in the Constructors' Championship with eight points, with Hulkenberg scoring six to Magnussen's two.
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