Haas decided to take risk: 'We waited a long time'

Haas F1 did not announce this calendar year until late in the season which driver duo will race for the formation in 2023. According to team boss Guenther Steiner, the US racing stable took a definite risk in doing so, although the feeling was that there was no harm in waiting.

With Haas, Steiner had to choose between Mick Schumacher and Nico Hulkenberg. While the talented driver continued to develop this year, the team saw in Hulkenberg a driver who could help Haas further next season. It therefore decided to go for the German. Steiner tells Formula1.com that it was not an easy choice, however.

"We waited a long time, because it wasn’t clear, the decision," Steiner states. "Nobody really picked [Hulkenberg] up – so we waited a little bit longer than you do normally. But I think this is the best we can do for the team to move up again where we want to be."

The Italian team boss stresses that it will be important for Haas to have two drivers who can carry the team. With Kevin Magnussen, it already has a driver capable of doing so and it hopes Hulkenberg will show the same qualities next race year.