Haas in no hurry to confirm 2023 driver line-up

Haas team boss Guenther Steiner says his team is focused on having a driver line-up that will move the US outfit forward next season, but insists he is no rush to reach a decision on who will partner Kevin Magnussen.

The Dane is on a multi-year contract with Haas, but his current teammate Mick Schumacher will see his deal with the team end at the end of the season.

Earlier this week, news emerged that Ferrari is set to end its support of the young German driver, which could equate to Schumacher's departure from Haas. But Steiner says he is "monitoring" the situation and still discussing the team's driver options for 2023.

"It’s not that we didn’t speak together about drivers or what to do but we decided to wait a bit – we are not in a hurry, we monitor the situation with Mick and see what is happening," he said.

"We are not in a hurry – why do we need to decide now anyway?

"If we decide now and make the wrong decision and we regret it why would we force ourselves to decide just because you want an answer.

"I think what we are looking is to bring the team forward – is it best to have a really fast driver or a solid driver that can carry everything along, there’s so many things in it, but the aim is obviously to take the team forward again."

• Read also: Schumacher set to lose Ferrari backing at the end of 2022

Haas currently sits seventh in the Constructors' standings and Steiner hasn't dismissed giving Alfa Romeo a run for its money for sixth.

As a laggard in previous years, Haas was anything but a compelling proposition for an established F1 driver.

However, the team has taken a clear step forward this season on the back of the introduction of F1's new regulations, progress that has also upgraded the team's status making it a more attractive proposition for higher ranked drivers in search of a seat.

"Absolutely the cockpit is more interesting as last year, in 2020, when we let Romain [Grosjean] and Kevin go, I was the first one to tell them guys you don’t want to be here because it is a disappointing year," he said.

"Now the car is better, and we get better with time, we are a much more interesting opportunity for a driver because he can show what he can do, and last year knowing it was a transitional year it was a perfect opportunity to learn about formula 1.

"Obviously we have a long way to go but we are in a better position than last year."

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