With the 2020 Formula 1 season underway, it looks like teams are already starting to make moves for future years. Most notably, Haas who shocked everyone by announcing that not only Romain Grosjean, but also Kevin Magnussen.
Haas has had a difficult season with slow pace on both Friday and Saturdays throughout the calendar. They are dealing with the Ferrari power unit which is clearly the slowest on the grid and do not have the cornering speed to keep up with their rivals. Haas has slowly been slipping out of the midfield due to worsening car performance which came from the approach of buying as many parts as they can from other teams and hoping they work together.
Haas clearly needed a switch at driver with these two falling farther and farther off the pace, but the shock move of both drivers being booted leaves open the room for many interesting possibilities. The most obvious choice next year will be for Russian driver ,Nikita Mazepin, who will bring tons of money to the team. Tied for fifth in the F2 championship helps push him over Schwartzman, but Mazepin brings more money to the table.
The next seat is where things get tricky as it could go that Haas wants a veteran presence to help balance out the rookie and they could choose either Hulkenberg or Sergio Perez, who both are without a drive for next season despite their stellar performances so far.
I think the far more likely situation would be for both drivers to be rookies next year with either Mick Schumacher or Callum Ilott who both are outstanding in F2 this year. Schumacher of course has racing in his blood and is suspected to have the choice between the two Ferrari B teams essentially.
So I predict that Mick will indeed drive with Haas in 2021 which will leave Ilott to go to Alfa Romeo when the seat opens with either the departure of Kimi or Antonio Giovinazzi. I think this young lineup will allow Haas to develop their drivers next year before the regulation changes then come out strong and could compete with the top midfield teams in the future.
Image: F1
