Haas to work with Grosjean to avoid loss of points
- Published on 25 Sep 2019 10:49
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- By: Dieter Rencken & Fergal Walsh
Haas team principal Guenther Steiner says the team will work with Romain Grosjean to try and help him avoid making mistakes which could cost the team points.
The American squad announced last week that it had retained Grosjean alongside Kevin Magnussen for the 2019 season, keeping the same line-up for a fourth consecutive year.
Steiner stated after the announcement that it was too big of a risk to change its line-up amid a difficult campaign it is having this season, as it struggles with its tyres over a race stint.
MORE: Grosjean had 'no room' to avoid Russell contact | Russell: Grosjean obliged to 'give up the corner'
Steiner adds that Haas won't be able to lose any points if it is not running inside the top ten anyway, as the Italian questioned whether or not the team can progress the car upwards on the grid without Grosjean.
"It's a good point, but maybe he brings us there to get to the points and then we have to deal with that afterwards," Steiner said when asked if the team was likely to lose point next year because of his "lows". "But if we never get there, we can never lose points.
"It's one of these things, these are the discussions that we are having. If all of a sudden the car is good again... can we get the car good without him? Maybe not.
"Then you go back and evaluate what did we do to have a good car last year, and he was part of that one. Yes, we lost points last year because of him as well, so we need to work on that one."
Haas aiming to return to 2018 form
After its first season in 2016, Haas finished eighth in the championship in 2018 before climbing to fifth last year.
Steiner stated that the team must analyse how it can get back to the form it enjoyed last year and that taking a step backwards can reap long-term rewards.
"Sometimes you need a new fire ignited, but also you need to think 'how did we do it between 2017 and 2018 to be so strong in our first seasons'," Steiner pondered.
"Why do I want to change and take a risk? This year, some things didn't work, we pretty much know what didn't work. Sometimes a step back is two forward, instead of always trying to make one forward, because then all of a sudden you make two back."
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Replies (9)
Login to replyajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
And somehow this guy was chosen over Nico Hulkenberg
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
He was chosen because he, on paper, is cheaper than Hulk. Crashes and lack of sponsors and inconsistent pace aside.
2GRX7
Posts: 108
There was no offer presented to Hulkenberg, if we take Steiner at his word, so was salary the stumbling block?
I don't know, it seems like the logic behind keeping him was suspect as well. I really like Steiner-lots of fun, but I really think HAAS needs a change of management.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
No offer no, but they did talk, and one of the reasons according to Steiner was that he was too pricey. The other reason wss that they wanted consistency, and I don't buy that with Grosjean.
ianf1
Posts: 185
They'll absolutely get consistency, but not the kind of consistency I think they really want.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
I wonder what could be the real reason for not choosing Hulk over Grosjean. I dont buy that, Hulk demanded a lot without an offer in hand.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
You can try, but it'll be as successful as my workout regime.
xoya
Posts: 583
If I was Grosjean I'd quit for shame alone after this statement, but I guess there is no shame if the cash is okay.
f1ski
Posts: 726
Steiner must have a short memory. Remember Grosjean bitching about brakes.