Steiner dismisses speculation over Herta joining Haas

Haas team boss Guenther Steiner dismissed recent speculation that IndyCar's youngest ever winner Colton Herta is on the US outfit's short list for 2021.

Haas will overhaul its driver line-up for next season, having recently informed Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean of their departure from the team at the end of the season.

The latest speculation involves F2 racer Nikita Mazepin stepping up to F1 with Haas in 2021, with the Russian charger likely paired with either Mick Schumacher or Robert Shwartzman.

But a rumor from the US has also placed Herta among Haas' potential picks. However, Steiner quickly quashed the silly hearsay when asked about the young American driver's chances of racing with his team.

"I think Colton Herta is doing very well," Steiner said. "He’s one of the drivers when I watch IndyCar and I’m back in the States, actually. I think he’s doing a great job there.

"I haven’t spoken to him so we stop this speculation. We have had to stop speculation lately. But I respect a lot what he does. He’s very young, I think he’s got a great future but I think he’s pretty happy where he is at the moment, and therefore we didn’t talk to him."

• Read also: Grosjean says Haas drivers dropped for 'financial reasons'

Herta, who is currently third in IndyCar's championship ahead of the series final round, admitted last month that he would like "to give F1 a crack" at some point in the future, although preferably with a top team.

"I know that he’s [been] based in Europe before and all that stuff but he’s in his second season in IndyCar and he’s with a good team there and the investors, I think they want to see him there," added Steiner.

"I haven’t spoken with him, but I have the utmost respect for him, what he’s doing there. But he will not be in our car next year."

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