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Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner hopes to announce his team’s second driver for 2023 ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but he says this cannot be guaranteed as he has not made a final decision.
Mick Schumacher, whose contract expires at the end of the year, looked likely to be replaced after some expensive crashes earlier in the season, but he has ironed out those mistakes and has been with teammate Kevin Mag in recent weeks. Knudsen cooperated closely. Nico Hulkenberg is thought to be the lead candidate also under consideration, although Antonio Giovinazzi has already played two FP1 meetings for the team.
“I think we can end it pretty quickly,” Steiner said. “Hopefully next week we can announce something, whatever we’re doing.
“Hopefully that’s my goal, but I don’t guarantee it. I hoped before (Abu Dhabi). When I say ‘I hope’ it’s not true.
“No (decision has not been made). Imminent. I’m busy right now…I’m a slow-minded person! We want to make sure we make the right decision.
“There are no seats out there; why are we rushing to announce it? We basically need to get it done before next year’s Bahrain test because we want to have the drivers in the Bahrain test that we drive next year. That’s the only thing we want to do, the rest We all want to try to make the best decision possible, and sometimes time will help you decide.”
Steiner’s main consideration is a longer-term view of the team’s progress, as he says he’s needed to sign drivers in the past for a more immediate return.
“The future of Haas, the future of the team,” he said. “How to best develop the team for the future. It boils down to: what is the best decision for the team to move where we want to move. I think next year we will take a step forward in car development. What we did wrong this year Things are analyzed a lot. How can we improve the team, that’s the only thing.
“It’s not a game, as a lot of people say: ‘Oh, if he has a good game here’ – no. We only think about the medium term, not just the short term. It was short term a few years ago, now We need to lead the team forward.”
Steiner doesn’t see uncertainty as an unfair distraction for Schumacher, regardless of what his future ultimately decides.
“It depends on the outcome!” he said. “I shouldn’t be laughing, but it could be one way or the other. But racers, dealing with pressure is part of the job. Obviously we all better decide what we’re going to do next year after Bahrain this year, but we Not yet. This is just one of them, and we have to deal with it. There is no good time and no bad time to make these decisions.”
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