Steiner: "Haas F1 must work hard to keep Magnussen"
- Published on 27 Apr 2018 14:45
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- By: Rob Veenstra
Gunther Steiner says it's a "luxury problem" that Haas may struggle to keep Kevin Magnussen beyond 2018. Dane Magnussen said recently he hoped the American team would take up its option on him for 2019. But boss Steiner said it's also possible another F1 team will come knocking for Magnussen, as he has outperformed teammate Romain Grosjean so far this year.
"I don't know if he'll get an offer from someone else," he told BT newspaper in Baku. "It's a problem I do not need to comment on right now," Steiner added. "But having a good driver that others are interested in is a luxury problem. Of course we know we have to work hard to keep him, but Kevin has respect for us. He knows we helped bring him to the position he's in now. As I said, it's a bridge we will cross once we reach it."
Steiner thinks the environment at Haas is perfect for Magnussen, after he struggled to shine at McLaren and Renault. "There's so much natural talent, but to make full use of it, he has to have the right environment," he said. "In our small, clear and honest team, he feels at home, and with our 2018 car he can really deliver." (GMM)
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Replies (11)
Login to replymcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Who else could place an offer on the table for kmag now? Not the top3, not mclaren, not the Renualt, or TR. Sauber, force india, williams. He might be better off where he is for now.
Kean
Posts: 692
I agree
BrunoB
Posts: 9
A guess could be McLaren(Alonzo exit) and Williams(current driver quality).
Jutlandia
Posts: 191
At the moment Williams is to much a step down. And I find it difficult to belive that he will be able to find the kind of money that a seat at Williams is priced at.
I imagine that KMAG will only change team if:
1 - He can not agree with Haas, witch i find unlikely
2 - A top team comes along with the right offer not under 2 years of length.
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
I think all things considered, Williams probably would be a slight step up, even if they are in a sorry state right now.
I doubt he'll make that move even if given the chance though. He seems very comfortable where he's at, Steiner obviously believes in him (which I think is more important for Kevin than just about any other driver on the grid) and HAAS does have that Ferrari connection. So I think he'll stay at least one more year, and if he keeps it up, a top seat is not out of the realm of possibilities.
michielhimself
Posts: 132
If Ricciardo leaves Red Bull, then they'll recall Sainz from Renault. Even if Viry-Enstone (and especially Hülkenberg) don't want KMag back, though they might, that vacant Renault seat will cause movement elsewhere in the mid-field. Vandoorne may have had enough at McLawnmower, or a Force India spot may open up for KMag. (Renault could do worse than pick up Perez or Ocon to replace Sainz).
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I could see Grosjean going to Haas if stuff goes down at Renault.
RenaultFM1
Posts: 100
Why would kevin want to move to FI - A new owner maybe coming soon and then they have a new agenda. Williams is all about money . McLaren or Ferrari is the only two team I can see he will move keeping up his game. He is happy where he is now and I think he is loyal to Haas for sure.
Mr.Useless
Posts: 18
with Ericsson showing that Leclerc is not Senna or Schumacher at down there at Sauber, it must be Ferrari who are looking at the handy and balsy dane. They naturally have inside telemetry from Haas and can see how good he is in comparison to Grosjean, who was pretty much even with Rai during his days at Lotus. So they know that Kevin won't be much worse(or in fact any) than aging RAI who gets pretty penny from the team. ( although I have to admit that I am quite sympathetic to the finn, but I am not his crazy fan of his boring personality )
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
In all fairness: Leclerc is still new to F1, and the jump seems to be bigger than ever. I certainly didnt do that gallantly at my new work directly, Im still rusty on some areas, but on others I've learned to "git gud". Give him time, and he might turn out alright.
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
I'd agree that the jury is still out on Leclerc, it's still early days. I also think that Ericsson might be quite underrated. I'm not suggesting he's the next Senna, but he's got a massive experience edge on Leclerc.
And even though Leclerc may not be the next Senna or Schumi, he still damn near violated the other young drivers in F2, so he's probably still the best of the next generation.