Gene Haas says Romain Grosjean and Esteban Gutierrez form the ideal line-up for his eponymous Formula One squad’s debut season in 2016.
The Ferrari test driver was confirmed alongside the soon-to-be ex-Lotus racer during a press conference held on the Friday leading up to his home race in Mexico. Team principal Günther Steiner revealed over the summer that the newcomers had a shortlist of 10 names. US tycoon Haas feels they have made the right picks.
“As a start-up team you don't expect to sign up any current champions. But we also weren't looking for that,” he told the official Formula One website. “We were looking for people who are on the same page as us. And both Romain and Esteban fit our particular profile.
“I am sure that they are both very hungry and don't have that ‘super ego’ like these super champions, and they are still young enough to learn. Well, I hope they learn from each other!”
Haas confirms that he and Grosjean sealed the deal with a handshake at the Italian Grand Prix, but only after negotiations with another driver fell through.
“Yes, it was in Monza,” recalled the 61-year-old. “Before that we had talked to another driver – I don't want to mention his name – who in the end, after talking to each other for a month, decided to stay where he was. That was acceptable. I didn't have a problem with that because every start-up team is high risk.
“Romain saw what we are doing, and obviously Lotus was having its little issues so he decided, 'I might as well do this!'”
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