Haas to run an all-new line-up in 2021
The sport's sole American outfit Haas F1 Team have today confirmed that they would run an all-new driver line-up in the 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship season.
The team's current drivers Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean are set to part ways with Haas F1 Team at the end of the current season. The Frenchman has been part of the outfit since it joined the pinnacle of motorsport back in 2016. After Esteban Gutierrez left Haas at the end of that year, the Danish driver joined the Kannapolis-based squad.
During his five-year spell at Haas, Grosjean achieved his best result at the 2018 Austrian Grand Prix where he finished fourth. Commenting the announcement on his Facebook account, the French-Swiss driver said: "The last chapter is closed and the book is finished. I've been with Haas F1 Team since day 1. Five years during which we went through highs and lows, scored 110 points in 92 races, but the journey was worth it.
"I've learned a lot, improved to be a better driver as well as a better man. I hope I’ve also helped people in the team to improve themself. This is probably my biggest pride, more than any of the crazy first races in 2016 or the P4 at the Austrian GP 2018. I wish the team all the best for the future."
Magnussen recorded his best results at the 2018 Bahrain and Austrian Grands Prix by ending up fifth when the chequered flag fell. He said: "The 2020 season will be my last with Haas F1 Team. I have had a great time with the team for four years and I look back at a great journey.
"Being part of a brand new team has been a challenge that I have thoroughly enjoyed and it has brought me a huge amount of experience that has helped me grow and develop as a racing driver.
Reflecting on the announcement, Haas Team Principal Guentheer Steiner said: “I want to extend my thanks to both Romain (Grosjean) and Kevin (Magnussen) for their hard work and commitment to Haas F1 Team over the past few seasons."
“Romain was a fundamental part of our establishment as we sought to get a driver onboard with both speed and experience. His results in early 2016 were a just reward, not only for his own talent, but also for the sheer amount of effort the team had put in to be on the grid that season.
"When Kevin joined a season later, we saw an immediate return with both cars scoring points, and of course, our first double points finish in Monaco that year. We have a lot of good memories together – in particular our 2018 season when we finished fifth in the standings in only our third season. Romain and Kevin played a significant part in that success," he concluded.
