Welcome at RacingNews365

Become part of the largest racing community in the United Kingdom. Create your free account now!

  • Share your thoughts and opinions about F1
  • Win fantastic prizes
  • Get access to our premium content
  • Take advantage of more exclusive benefits
Sign in
Haas F1 Team

Why Haas dropped Schumacher to sign Hulkenberg

Guenther Steiner has pointed to Nico Hulkenberg's 'reliability' as a key factor in Haas' decision to sign the 35-year-old for next season.

Schumacher Haas
Article
To news overview © XPBimages

Guenther Steiner has explained that Haas have elected for a "well-seasoned" line-up for the 2023.

The American F1 team chose to hire Nico Hulkenberg as their second driver for the 2023 season, partnering Kevin Magnussen.

Their decision is a change in tactic from recent seasons, having elected to field two rookies in 2021: Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin.

Crash damage and an inability to keep up with Magnussen's points total resulted in early-season pressure from Haas on Schumacher, with the 23-year-old failing to make the grade for a third year with the team.

Steiner opts for "experience" and "reliable racer"

With experience in racing for Williams, Force India (now Aston Martin), Sauber and Renault, F1 veteran Hulkenberg completes what Steiner believes to be a "well-seasoned driver line-up".

“I’m naturally very pleased to be welcoming Nico Hulkenberg back to a full-time racing role in Formula 1,” commented Steiner.

“The experience and knowledge base Nico brings to the team is clear to see – with nearly 200 career starts in Formula 1 – and a reputation as being a great qualifier and a solid, reliable racer.

"These are attributes, which when you pair them together with Kevin Magnussen’s experience, gives us a very credible and well-seasoned driver line-up which we believe will help push the team onwards up the grid.

"That’s obviously the goal and it was that ambition that has prompted Nico’s return to Formula 1 – he shares our vision and can be a key player together with the rest of the team in building on the foundations we’ve laid this year with our return to the points battle.”

Also interesting:

F1 Podcast: How will Red Bull deal with Verstappen ignoring team orders?

RacingNews365.com F1 journalists Dieter Rencken and Michael Butterworth discuss the key issues from the Brazilian Grand Prix, including how Red Bull will deal with Max Verstappen having disobeyed team orders to let Sergio Perez through.

0 comments

x
LATEST Verstappen honoured at 2023 FIA Prize Giving Gala