Kevin Magnussen insists there would be “no problem” if Haas decides to sign Nico Hulkenberg to replace Mick Schumacher for the next Formula 1 season.
Haas is the only team on the grid yet to confirm its driver line-up for 2023 as it ponders whether to retain Schumacher for a third season.
Schumacher has been given the final races to prove he deserves another year, but team owner Gene Haas recently called the German “expensive” due to the number of crashes he has had in 2022.
It is widely suggested that if Schumacher’s contract is not renewed, Haas will turn to Hulkenberg, who last raced in F1 full-time in 2019.
While Hulkenberg only has five stand-in appearances for Racing Point and Aston Martin under his belt since the start of 2020, Haas values the experience he would bring to the team.
A Magnussen-Hulkenberg line-up would reunite both drivers who had an infamous run-in at the 2017 Hungarian Grand Prix, when Hulkenberg approached Magnussen after the race to criticise his driving.
Magnussen duly responded with the now famous quote of “suck my balls, mate”, but should the pair become team-mates next year, the Dane believes there would not be any animosity.
“I’ve said many times that I don’t have a problem with Nico at all,” Magnussen said, as quoted by RacingNews365.com.
“I actually respect him as a racing driver – I don’t really know him as a person, but certainly as a racing driver, I’ve always respected him so I would have no problem [with him as teammate].
“But I don’t really have an opinion on whether or not he should be in the second car.
“Mick is doing a good job at the moment – he had some issues in the beginning of the year and a few crashes, but he’s certainly faster now.”
Hulkenberg’s chances of securing a return to F1 look to have increased after Aston Martin announced Stoffel Vandoorne as its test and reserve driver for 2023 – a role Hulkenberg has filled since 2021 – without mentioning the German in press release.
Comments.
Loading comments…