Haas to retain Grosjean and Magnussen in 2018

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The Haas F1 Team will keep its driver line-up unchanged next season, the US outfit retaining the services of both Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen.

Grosjean entertained hopes of joining Ferrari next season, where a seat may become available. But Haas team owner Gene Haas underlined continuity as the reason for keeping both drivers on-board.

"We will run with the same drivers that we have this year again next year. That is a given," Haas told the official F1 website.

"And given the other continuity aspects, we should be better racers next season."

Haas starts allocating resources to 2018 car

Haas also said that he is delighted with Kevin Magnussen's performance year-to-date, praising the team's decision last winter to hire the Dane from Renault as Esteban Gutierrez's replacement.

"Esteban was a good driver. He was as fast as Romain [Grosjean] in practice, but I think that Kevin has an edge in terms of race experience," Haas said.

"He can score points and that was the key for bringing him on board. Kevin can grab points and Romain can too.

"We now have 29 points. Last year around this time we also had 29 points, but did not score for the rest of the season. So now if we can score another 29 points by Abu Dhabi, that would be a great position."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.