Following Haas F1‘s delay of announcing their 2017 drivers, Esteban Gutierrez has announced that he is considering other drives in Formula 1 for next season.
Esteban Gutierrez and Haas F1: A Stale Relationship
Gutierrez’s team mate, Romain Grosjean is understood to be driving for the team for 2017 after negotiating a second year on his contract. Gutierrez’s place at the team however, remains uncertain, with team owner, Gene Haas stating that he ‘wouldn’t be surprised if we wait until the end of the season to make a decision.’
Gutierrez has a deadline of 14 days to secure his Formula 1 future, and with Haas looking set to announce their driver lineup at the end of the 2016 Season, Gutierrez’s place at the team for 2017 looks to be dubious.
Haas F1 made their debut in the season opening Australian Grand Prix earlier this year and have experienced a surprisingly successful season, with Romain Grosjean scoring 29 points so far with three races to go. On the other side of the garage, Gutierrez has failed to finish in the top 10 for the team for the team in any race this season, with his most notable performance being his qualifying performance at the Italian Grand Prix, making it into the top 10 shoot out for the first time in Haas F1’s short Formula 1 history.
If Gutierrez was to leave Haas F1 however, who would be in the frame to replace him?
Felipe Nasr
After making his Formula 1 debut in 2015 for Sauber, Felipe Nasr is a driver who’s talent is wasted in an uncompetitive car, with Sauber failing to finish in the top 10 so far this season. Nasr has been linked to a number of teams for the 2017 season, including Force India to partner Sergio Perez and replace a departing Nico Hulkenberg. However, Nasr has denied that he has been approached by Force India for 2017, placing doubt in these rumors. Haas F1 are a team who need experience and speed from their drivers, and Nasr has both of these things, having two seasons of experience in Formula 1 and proving his speed in his first race for Sauber in 2015, finishing in fifth place. With his sponsorship from Banco do Brasil, Nasr could be a very attractive option for Haas in 2017.
Antonio Giovinazzi
Although lacking Formula 1 experience, Antonnio Giovinazzi is a driver who has not failed to show his speed over the past year in the GP2 Series. Giovinazzi made his GP2 debut in 2016, driving for Prema Racing alongside Red Bull Junior Driver Pierre Gasly. In the first four races of the 2016 season, Giovinazzi failed to finish in the points. However, made his breakthrough at the European Grand Prix in Azerbaijan, winning both the GP2 Feature Race, and Sprint Race, becoming one of few drivers to achieve such a feat including Lewis Hamilton and Nico Hulkenberg. Since then, Giovinazzi has secured a further three wins and a further three podiums in the series this season, meaning that he currently leads the Drivers Championship by seven points with two races to do. With Haas F1 having a technical partnership with Ferrari and Giovinazzi doing simulator work for the Italian outfit, could Giovinazzi appear in a Haas car for 2017?
Kevin Magnussen
Making his debut in 2014 for McLaren, Kevin Magnussen is one of the bigger names on the grid without a drive for 2017. The Dane – who currently races for Renault – knows little about his Formula 1 future, being in a three of four way fight for the final seat at Renault between his team mate, Jolyon Palmer, Manor’s Esteban Ocon, and Williams’ Valtteri Bottas. With his experience and speed, Magnussen would be a strong candidate for a place at the team for 2017.
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