“We have got two rookie drivers” – Haas boss Guenther Steiner sets a challenge for Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin for the 2021 season.
Haas has flattered to deceive in the last two seasons, finishing P9, just above Williams. In 2018, though, the American team had a fabulous season, finishing in the Top 5. Both Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen had a memorable Austrian Grand Prix, achieving their career-best P4 and P5. This is precisely what boss Guenther Steiner is expecting from his two F1 newbies Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin.
Back like we were in 2018 to fight on the top of the midfield.
“I always am very hesitant to give positions out because as long as you are racing and fighting, that is what a sport is about. Some you win and some you lose and then you just try to do the best. But to get stubborn with ‘I want to achieve this number’, it’s very difficult because I don’t know what the other teams are doing. But if we will get back to our performances from 2018, I would be very happy.”
Guenther Steiner willing to give Mick and Nikita time at Haas
Haas has been hugely helped by investment from Nikita Mazepin’s dad’s company Uralkali. This should help them in their pursuit of a Top 5 finish next season. Despite that, Steiner is willing to give them time and prepare them for the new regulations starting 2022.
“We don’t have to forget we have got two rookie drivers. As I said already when we announced them, this is part of it, of the whole plan. We want to get ready for ’22 in all areas. So in the end we come up with two drivers which are ready, are young and hungry, because they haven’t been there, and we have got a good car for them in ’22.”
