Haas are a team on the rise going into 2023, as the team started the new era of Formula 1 strongly with an eight placed finish in the constructors’ championship.
The team have replaced the promising but inconsistent Mick Schumacher with the experienced figure of Nico Hulkenberg ahead of the upcoming season, opting to prioritise a strong finish in 2023 over potential long-term success.
Only weeks from the beginning of pre-season testing Bahrain the team have now been dealt a major blow, as Kevin Magnussen has confirmed that he has been forced to undergo hand surgery.
The Dane has explained that doctors found a small issue in his wrist and will now have to take some time to recover before pre-season begins.
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“I had a sore wrist so I went to the doctor to have it looked at and they found a cyst that needs to be removed now so I can be ready for the F1 season,” he explained.
“It’s a harmless procedure, but I probably need to rest for a couple of weeks afterwards.
“I need to wait and see what the doctor says, but it’s unlikely that I can race at Daytona.”
Magnussen was set to take part in the IMSA SportsCar championship opener at Daytona on January 20th, however it now appears highly unlikely that he will be able to compete in the race weekend.
Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has explained that he expects his team to be much more competitive in 2023, as the budget cap will have a much more significant effect this year.
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The Haas boss has explained that his team were unable to even reach the cap in 2022, but expects every team, including his own, to reach the spending limit this year.
The decision to resign Kevin Magnussen to replace Nikita Mazepin prior to the start of last season proved to be an inspired one from Haas, as the Dane stormed to a stunning P5 finish at the season opener in Bahrain.
The 30-year-old even took the first pole position of his and Haas’ F1 career in Brazil, taking advantage of ever changing conditions and a red flag to go quickest in Q3, before unfortunately being taken out of the race in the early laps by Daniel Ricciardo.