Former Haas drivers inform rookie replacements what to expect from the 2021 car

Former Haas drivers Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean have explained what their successors can expect from the 2021 machinery.

Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin both set out on their rookie Formula 1 campaigns this year after making the step up from Formula 2, Schumacher graduating as the series champion.

However, Haas struggled last year, finishing ahead of only Williams, and team principal Guenther Steiner has made clear there will be no developments being made to the car across the year.

Despite lacking pace, Magnussen said the Haas VF-20 will give both rookies a good feeling.

“I don’t think they are going to find a difficult car to drive," said the Dane, now racing in the IMSA sports car series.

"As we have seen, these cars are very good and many times I’ve driven the car and thought ‘this has got to be competitive’ because the feeling has been pretty good, but it just isn’t and we’re slow because we lack a bit of everything, quite a bit of everything.

“That’s really what makes us uncompetitive, but not really because the car is particularly difficult to drive. I think they are going to find it very fast and enjoyable to drive.”

Grosjean, who had been a raced for the team in each of its previous five seasons in the sport, added he believes the Pirelli tyres will present the biggest problems for Schumacher and Mazepin.

The Frenchman added: “I think generally Formula 1 is difficult for a rookie but the car is, it’s a bit understeery, so in that aspect, it’s not too hard to drive.

“I guess it’s always going to be a key of getting the tyre to work and with the 2021 tyres we don’t know how it is going to go.

“It’ll be faster than what they’re used to.”

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Max Verstappen, the record $500m F1 transfer and the four teams who could sign him

• 31 minutes ago

Aston Martin F1 crisis laid bare as Martin Brundle puts alarming timeline on 'horror show'

• 56 minutes ago

Charles Leclerc 'could be tempted' by sensational move to Ferrari's F1 rivals

• 1 hour ago

Title-winning Ferrari F1 boss offered Red Bull role

• 2 hours ago

F1 News Today: How Max Verstappen could move to McLaren, Oscar Piastri talks retirement

• 2 hours ago

Kimi Antonelli told to 'focus on driving' as Mercedes F1 star slammed over 'too much nonsense'

• Yesterday 22:45