MPH: The surprise findings when you compare F1 team-mates' qualifying times
Look beyond the head-to-head qualifying results between F1 team-mates, and a different picture emerges around which drivers are closely matched, writes Mark Hughes
Romain Grosjean has been confirmed to be staying at Haas for next year’s Formula 1 season, alongside Kevin Magnussen
Romain Grosjean will remain with Haas for the 2020 Formula 1 season Photo: Motorsport Images
Haas has confirmed that Romain Grosjean will be remaining with the team for the 2020 Formula 1 season in an unchanged line-up.
The Frenchman’s seat was under threat from Nico Hülkenberg, who now finds himself without a drive for next year with limited options available.
The American outfit will retain the same line-up for the fourth consecutive season, with Kevin Magnussen already confirmed as remaining with the team.
Despite the pair crashing into one another on several occasions this season, Haas team principal Guenther Steiner said the experience they both brought to the team was important to retain.
“Experience, and the need for it, has been one of the cornerstones of Haas F1 Team, and with Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen racing for the team in 2020, we continue to have a driver lineup that offers us a solid platform to continue our growth,” Steiner said.
“Their understanding of how we work as a team, and our knowledge of what they can deliver behind the wheel, gives us a valued continuity and a strong foundation to keep building our team around.
“It’s been a tough year for us in 2019 with the fluctuation in performance of the VF-19, but our ability to tap into our combined experiences will help us learn, improve, and move forward as a unit in 2020.”
Related content
Steiner had previously admitted that there were several drivers in contention for the seat, including Renault-bound Esteban Ocon as well as Hülkenberg.
The team opted against the fresh pairing of Magnussen and Hülkenberg, who themselves have a frosty relationship with an on and off-track rivalry.
Although speculation had indicated Grosjean may be forced out of F1, he maintained throughout he was confident of retaining his seat and believes he can help the team work its way up the F1 pecking order.
“I’ve always stated that it was my desire to remain with Haas F1 Team and keep building on the team’s accomplishments,” Grosjean said.
“Having been here since the very beginning and seen the work both Gene Haas and Guenther Steiner put into the team to make it competitive, I’m naturally very happy to continue to be a part of that.”
Look beyond the head-to-head qualifying results between F1 team-mates, and a different picture emerges around which drivers are closely matched, writes Mark Hughes
The 2024 Belgian Grand Prix weekend gets underway on Friday, with two hour-long practice sessions before another on Saturday, offering the first indications of the competitive order to come. Your…
Tackling Eau Rouge at Spa-Francorchamps used to be one of F1's most daunting challenges but modern cars can just take it flat out. Has the circuit become too tame? Adam Cooper asks the current grid
Esteban Ocon will join Haas next season, in the latest F1 2025 driver line-up development that leaves five seats vacant next year. What next in the F1 transfer market? Here are the contracts in place, the rumoured deals, and who could end up where