Haas confirms Magnussen and Grosjean for F1 2019

The Haas Formula 1 team has confirmed it has retained Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean in its driver line-up for the 2019 Formula 1 season. 

The news follows Haas' team principal Gunther Steiner's two-week timeframe to announce its driver plans for next season before the Japanese Grand Prix and secures the continuation of the succesful driver pairing that has helped the American squad challenge for fourth place in the constructors' championship in 2018. 

Magnussen and Grosjean were both expected to remain at Haas, with Magnussen enjoying a strong season having scored 49 points for the team this year. Grosjean's future had been called into question following his worst start to an F1 campaign, but a turnaround in form since July's Austrian Grand Prix strengthened his position. 

“From the very beginning, we needed experienced drivers to hasten the development of our car and our team, and we have two very good and experienced drivers in Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen," Steiner said. 

"We’ve improved drastically from last year to this year, so retaining both drivers was a pretty easy decision.

“I think the 100-point barrier should be and will be broken, and we’ll do it with Romain and Kevin,” he added.

“Both drivers push each other to be better, and their collective feedback allows us to be better. It’s not a coincidence that in their second year as teammates, Haas F1 Team is having its best year. By keeping Romain and Kevin together, we aim to do even better next year.”

In just its third season in F1, Haas occupies fifth place in the constructors' standings having secured its best points tally to date (76), leaving it just 15 points adrift of nearest rivals Renault with six races remaining in what has been a tight battle for midfield supremacy in 2018. 

“It’s impressive to see what this team has accomplished in such a relatively short time, and for someone who has been here since the very beginning, I take a lot of pride in the time, effort and sacrifice we’ve all put forth to make Haas F1 Team so competitive,” Grosjean said.

“I’m very happy to continue with Haas F1 Team and represent Haas Automation and all of our partners. Gene Haas has built something very special – something we can make even better – and it’s an honor to be a part of it.”

Magnussen added: “I’ve never been in a better situation than the one I’m in here at Haas F1 Team. This is a team filled with racers and we’re all striving for the same thing. There’s no bureaucracy and everything is very straightforward.

"Gene Haas is all about efficiency, and he and Guenther Steiner have created a very efficient environment that gets the best from its people. We all believe in each other and that’s why we’ve achieved as much as we have.”

The announcement means just six seats remain left to be filled on the 2019 grid, with Williams, Toro Rosso and Force India yet to confirm their respective plans.