Steiner had to convince Gene Haas for rookies: 'Not a short-term decision'

It is a striking choice by Haas that they've gone with a full rookie lineup in 2021. The American team struggled in 2020 and spent much of the season towards the back of the grid. Mick Schumacher is a great talent, but the question is whether he and Nikita Mazepin will make a good pair.

Gene Haas, owner of the team, had the same question. Guenther Steiner had to convince the American to go for the line-up as it is now. " Early in the summer, Gene Haas and I had a long talk about what was the best direction for the team and how we should move forward. I then went to him with this idea, because I would like to see it this way," Steiner explained in conversation with Motorsport.com.

Mazepin and Schumacher long in F1?

"It's certainly not a short-term decision either. We will have to take steps back in order to eventually take more steps forward. That is my goal with this plan."

Steiner also hopes not to have to change lineups again soon, which is also evident from the American team's history. Only prior to the 2017 season was a driver replaced, namely Kevin Magnussen for Esteban Gutierrez. In the four seasons since, they have driven with the same line-up. "I am against giving one-year contracts, because you only really know each other well after a year. 2021 will therefore be a learning year, in order to achieve results in 2022," Steiner concludes.