The Haas F1 Team has announced that it will retain both Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean for 2019, putting to rest speculation about the US outfit's line-up.
Next year, Grosjean will start his fourth season with Haas while his team mate joined the US squad in 2017.
"From the very beginning, we needed experienced drivers to hasten the development of our car and our team, and we have two very good and experienced drivers in Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen," said team boss Guenther Steiner.
"We’ve improved drastically from last year to this year, so retaining both drivers was a pretty easy decision."
As the latest team to join the ranks of Grand Prix racing, Haas has acquitted itself remarkably well, thanks in large part to its technical association with Ferrari that has proved very effective.
The team currently sits fifth in the Constructor' standings, just 15 points behind fourth-placed Renault.
"I think the 100-point barrier should be and will be broken, and we’ll do it with Romain and Kevin,” added Steiner.
"Both drivers push each other to be better, and their collective feedback allows us to be better. It’s not a coincidence that in their second year as teammates, Haas F1 Team is having its best year.
"By keeping Romain and Kevin together, we aim to do even better next year."
Needless to say, both drivers are delighted to extend their stay with Haas.
"It’s impressive to see what this team has accomplished in such a relatively short time, and for someone who has been here since the very beginning, I take a lot of pride in the time, effort and sacrifice we’ve all put forth to make Haas F1 Team so competitive," Grosjean said.
"I’m very happy to continue with Haas F1 Team and represent Haas Automation and all of our partners.
"Gene Haas has built something very special – something we can make even better – and it’s an honor to be a part of it."
Magnussen, who began his career in F1 with McLaren in 2014, has been equally impressed with Haas' achievements since its arrival at the pinnacle of motorsport and its straightforward approach to F1.
"I’ve never been in a better situation than the one I’m in here at Haas F1 Team," said the Dane.
"This is a team filled with racers and we’re all striving for the same thing. There’s no bureaucracy and everything is very straightforward.
"Gene Haas is all about efficiency, and he and Guenther Steiner have created a very efficient environment that gets the best from its people.
"We all believe in each other and that’s why we’ve achieved as much as we have."
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