Steiner ahead of 2023 season: "We need someone to carry us a little bit"
F1 News
Haas have been in the news ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as Mick Schumacher has been replaced by Nico Hulkenberg for the 2023 season. After FP2 had concluded today, team manager Guenther Steiner explained his reasoning as to why they chose the German veteran over his compatriot.
"I would say we are the youngest team, and in the last two years, we have lost a bit of our momentum when the pandemic came and so on," he told Sky Sports, "that is the reason why we [chose Nico to partner Kevin]."
Steiner then went on to explain how the decision was made and what would allow the team to perform the best and match results from years past: "It was down it how can we bring the team back where we want to be, like in 2018 and 2019, which was better than the last two years."
He rounded off by praising Schumacher's performance this season, but also adding how it wasn't enough to help hold his position in F1, "Mick did a good job, but we need to carry him, and we need someone to carry us a little bit."
Decision was not made in a short period of time
The Italian rounded off his interview by describing how it wasn't a short and easy decision for the team but things fell into place, which meant that it was the decision they felt was best.
"We waited a long time because it was not a clear decision. We wanted to make sure that we do not regret the decision, and make a quick decision. The market went our way and no one picked it up. So, we waited a bit longer than normal. This is the best we can do for the team to move up again to where we want to be," he said.