Times are tough at Haas at the moment, as the team have taken a turn for the worse ever since they introduced their only upgrade of the season at the Hungarian Grand Prix, with the American side currently occupying seventh in the Constructors’ Championship by one point.
Haas haven’t scored a point since their double points finish at the Austrian Grand Prix, which took place back in the first half of July.
At the most recent Italian Grand Prix, Kevin Magnussen finished last of the still running drivers, whereas the increasingly under threat Mick Schumacher finished P12.
Magnussen is, of course, contracted at Haas for 2023, whilst Schumacher as well known, isn’t.
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The German needs points quickly, if he wants to increase the slim chance of him being retained by the team next season.
Schumacher is without a contract for 2023, with Haas appearing to be the only option for him should he wish to feature on the grid next season.
The team aren’t appearing to be in a hurry to announce Magnussen’s team-mate for next season, with team principal Guenther Steiner revealing that the team are considering “everybody with a superlicence”.
“Everybody with a superlicence is on the list,” Steiner said.
Aston Martin reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg is the most recent driver to have been linked with the seat, which has also been linked to McLaren’s outgoing driver Daniel Ricciardo.
Some believe hiring the Aston Martin reserve driver would be an unambitious move by the team, but Steiner explained that he ultimately is “a candidate”.
“I think he’s a candidate like all the other ones, because he’s got a superlicence, he has done F1, he has experience,” said the Haas boss.
“I mean, there is nobody who is racing now that you could get if you wanted to change. We just have to see what is the best decision.”
One of the drivers heavily linked to the seat is former Alfa Romeo F1 driver and current Ferrari reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi, who actually drove for Haas during FP1.
Giovinazzi will be driving for Haas again in FP1 later in the year, something which some don’t understand given that the Italian won’t count towards the team’s young driver sessions.
It’s led to rumours that Haas are giving Giovinazzi running time in order to prepare him for a full-time seat in 2023; however, Steiner has admitted that Ferrari asked Haas to use their reserve.
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“People think too deep into it,” Steiner said.
“It was more that Ferrari asked us to run their reserve driver, it was not ‘now we need to test him and take a conclusion out of this.’
“He did a very good job coming in, he has never driven this regulation car. He was on the on the ball immediately, he was very good.”