Romain Grosjean has been confirmed to be staying at Haas for next year’s Formula 1 season, alongside Kevin Magnussen
Romain Grosjean will remain with Haas for the 2020 Formula 1 season Photo: Motorsport Images
Haas has confirmed that Romain Grosjean will be remaining with the team for the 2020 Formula 1 season in an unchanged line-up.
The Frenchman’s seat was under threat from Nico Hülkenberg, who now finds himself without a drive for next year with limited options available.
The American outfit will retain the same line-up for the fourth consecutive season, with Kevin Magnussen already confirmed as remaining with the team.
Despite the pair crashing into one another on several occasions this season, Haas team principal Guenther Steiner said the experience they both brought to the team was important to retain.
“Experience, and the need for it, has been one of the cornerstones of Haas F1 Team, and with Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen racing for the team in 2020, we continue to have a driver lineup that offers us a solid platform to continue our growth,” Steiner said.
“Their understanding of how we work as a team, and our knowledge of what they can deliver behind the wheel, gives us a valued continuity and a strong foundation to keep building our team around.
“It’s been a tough year for us in 2019 with the fluctuation in performance of the VF-19, but our ability to tap into our combined experiences will help us learn, improve, and move forward as a unit in 2020.”
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Steiner had previously admitted that there were several drivers in contention for the seat, including Renault-bound Esteban Ocon as well as Hülkenberg.
The team opted against the fresh pairing of Magnussen and Hülkenberg, who themselves have a frosty relationship with an on and off-track rivalry.
Although speculation had indicated Grosjean may be forced out of F1, he maintained throughout he was confident of retaining his seat and believes he can help the team work its way up the F1 pecking order.
“I’ve always stated that it was my desire to remain with Haas F1 Team and keep building on the team’s accomplishments,” Grosjean said.
“Having been here since the very beginning and seen the work both Gene Haas and Guenther Steiner put into the team to make it competitive, I’m naturally very happy to continue to be a part of that.”
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