Haas title sponsor taking 'Steiner's lead' on driver choice for 2023

New Haas title sponsor MoneyGram will have no bearing on the US outfit's decision as to the identity of the driver who will fill the team's second seat alongside Kevin Magnussen in 2023.

Haas announced on Thursday at COTA a multi-year sponsorship agreement with American P2P payments and money transfer company MoneyGram.

While Magnussen is contracted to Haas for next season, Mick Schumacher's two-year deal with the team runs out at the end of this season, and so far there has been little indication that the young German will remain onboard with Haas for 2023.

Rumors point to F1 veteran Nico Hulkenberg and Ferrari protégé Antonio Giovinazzi as the two drivers at the top of Haas short list, but team boss Guenther Steiner hasn't ruled out Schumacher.

• Read also: Haas lands new title sponsor for 2023 and beyond

MoneyGram marketing boss Greg Hall says Haas' 2023 line-up is not for his company to decide.

"From our perspective we have full faith in Gunther," said Hall. "This is not a decision for us.

"This is a racing decision, and we have full confidence in him, and we're excited about whatever decision they do make."

MoneyGram CEO and chairman Alex Holmes was on the same page as his marketing executive.

"We want to be helpful, we want to be involved, we want to have the right brand representation, we want to have the right partnership globally,” said Holmes.

"Obviously, the drivers play a big role in that. It was great to chat with Mick this morning a little bit. He's a great young driver.

"We'll take Gunther's lead on that. And whoever's driving for the team, we'll give them all the support in the world."

Haas' partnership with its new title sponsor adds to its American identity, but Steiner insists there's no pressure on the team to recruit an American driver.

"I think as I always said that we would love to have American driver, and that time will come," said the Italian.

"We just need to have the right the right person to do it. The driver is not part of this deal. Obviously, he is part of the deal, because he's driving the Moneygram Haas car next year.

"But it's not like that now we have got pressure to put the American in, or like it was asked before how much say Alex and Greg have in putting Mick in the car next year, all the lobbying going on there already!

"I think that we try to get the best driver in the car, which will make the team go."

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