Haas is one of the three Formula 1 teams yet to announce its drivers line-up for the 2021 season as there are several drivers available in the driver market, so what options are available for team for the 2021 season?
The team principal Guenther Steiner has made it clear that all options are on the table and they are planning to make major changes in the drivers line-up by giving a chance for rookie drivers to run their cars, as the contrary has been happening in their recent years. Previously, Steiner had been keen to avoid rookies as the team was new to the sport and it was slowly absorbing the processes that happen with the teams on the track, but now all the possibilities are very open.
So, who are the prime candidates for the 2021 Haas drive?
Kevin Magnussen
Magnussen is one of the drivers who receives different opinions, he was very quick back in his days. The Danish driver is currently racing for the team and is undoubtedly the fastest of the drivers compared to Romain Grosjean. He is the driver behind the only point scored this season by the Haas team.
Magnussen is relatively very young, only aged 27, and this would be the perfect time to exploit his potential in Formula 1 racing and would be a very good guide to mearsure any rookie who gets into the team. If only one driver would be to remain in the Haas team, it could be Magnussen.
Romain Grosjean
While both of the curren Haas drivers, Magnussen and Grosjean said that they were looking at other racing options outside Formula 1, it was Grosjean who seemed to have done the homework on the matter. Grosjean has been a part of the team since its debut in Formula 1 Racing back in 2016, but it is seeming to be difficult to salvage the 34-year-old driver in the recent past.
The frenchman has been seemingly taking to air his dirty linens over the team radio and it seems now that the team and the driver are most likely to part in different ways.
Robert Shwartzman
Shwartzman is a Formula 2 rookie, and as he made his campaign for the Formula 2 victory, Alfa Romeo and Haas has been keen to note his impressive performance. But recently the F2 driver’s results have dipped due errors and mistakes of his own making and it looks that now he might be staying longer in Formula 2.
With only two rounds and four races remaining, there is hope for the driver as he will be contesting in FP1 in Abu Dhabi with Alfa Romeo. If Haas would go with the idea to fill in with two rookie drivers, Shwartzman could be the best option.
Sergio Perez
Sergio Perez is currently racing for Racing Point, and he announced that he will be leaving the team at the end of the season to pave way for Sebastian Vettel who will be joining the team in 2021 after it will be rebranded Aston Martin. Perez is now available in the market and it is only a matter of time before a team takes him.
Perez has both talent and money, as Guenther Steiner said that the team is short on cash and they are rather looking towards a long-time success than a quick fix, but if they can afford Perez, he might surprise them with his performance.
Alfa Romeo has been having ties with Sergio Perez back when the team was named Sauber, and giving him the seat might be very realistic. There were suggestions however, that Redbull or Alpha Tauri might give him a seat for 2021.
Callum Illot
Callum Illot is a British Formula 2 driver and is second after Schumacher in the F2 driver standings and is set to replace Antonio Giovinazzi’s seat at Alfa Romeo. His consistent driving has lead to F1 team having their eyes on him.
Illot is currently on his second year in F2 racing as Mick Schumacher, and it is very rare for any drivers to join the F1 racing series after they have been in F2 for more than two years, another key reason for Ilott now being considered as potentially the most likely new face to arrive at the American team is that he will drive in FP1 for the team at the Eifel Grand Prix.
