Haas drivers expect to start new contract talks now team's future secured

Haas

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Haas drivers expect to start new contract talks now team's future secured

Team recently signed new five-year Concorde Agreement

Sam Hall

Thursday 27 August 2020 19:17

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Haas drivers Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen expect to begin new contract talks now the team has committed itself to Formula 1's new Concorde Agreement.

Grosjean and Magnussen have been content to wait to start negotiations while owner Gene Haas played his part in finalising the document that binds his team to F1 for the next five years after this season.

With that deal now signed and the future of the team secure, both men hope to sort their own personal futures.

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"There aren’t that many seats available on the grid so it’s great news that Haas stays in Formula 1," said Grosjean.

"Obviously, it gives a few more opportunities and yes, the talks are going to happen at some stage.

"But right now to be 100 per cent honest, with the triple-headers and the season that we’re going through, we're just focussing on racing and getting the best [results] we can."

Magnussen agreed with his team-mate. He added: "It’s been a busy time lately with all the triple-headers and there’s another one now.

"Also, there hasn’t been any good reason to start talking to drivers with the team’s future [uncertain].

“So I expect there will start to be some talks from now on at some point, but we’ll see about that."

Team principal Guenther Steiner is keeping his options open ahead of sitting down with Haas to discuss the way forward for 2021.

“We just got the Concorde Agreement done and I did not speak with Gene about the drivers yet," said Steiner. "As you all know, I want his input in the drivers and that will come soon.

“As soon as he can make it to a race we will sit down and discuss it, but for the moment everything is on the table, from keeping the drivers to getting two rookies."

While not ruling out Grosjean and Magnussen for a fifth season together, Steiner has warned they have to deliver, despite the difficulties experienced so far this season.

“To stay in a team, you need to perform at a superior level and, like in any other job, if you do a very good job, you have got job security almost always," added Steiner. “That is what they need to do. I am not saying they are not doing a good job, but for the rest, as I said before, everything is on the table."

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