Grosjean: Double Haas F1 driver axe down to financial reasons

Romain Grosjean says Haas’ decision to drop both of its drivers for the 2021 Formula 1 season was simply down to financial reasons.

Ahead of this weekend’s Portuguese Grand Prix, Haas confirmed Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen would no longer be driving for the team next season.

Grosjean and Magnussen have been teammates since the start of 2017 and the pair guided it to its best-ever finish a year later - finishing fifth in the constructors' championship in 2018.

Reflecting on the announcement, Grosjean admits he was a little bit surprised by the team’s decision to drop both drivers as he expected just one to make way.

“Yes, a little bit, Grosjean said. “I knew that probably one of us would be out at the end of the year, just because of the situation around the world, COVID has made it very hard financially for a lot of companies around the world. So I knew one of us would go out.

“That’s what I said to Guenther on the call when he called me, I said ‘I was expecting one of us’. He said ‘No, for financial reasons I need both of you out’. So fair enough, I fully understand, I know it’s been a tough year with COVID and a lot of industries and companies have suffered from it. The team is going in a different path and I wish them luck for the future.”

Recent reports have suggested Grosjean conducted a Formula E test with the Mahindra team, while he has also shown interest in Peugeot's new Hypercar project for 2022. 

Grosjean admits he’s missed the “winning feeling” during his time in F1 and hopes to return to winning ways when he makes a likely switch to another racing series in 2021.

“There are a few discussions and a few options that I would love to race. I miss the winning feeling as well, I miss the feeling coming into a race weekend thinking I can fight for the win this weekend, I can fight for the podium, I need to get the best of myself to get there rather than hoping to get out of Q1, and if things happen, you score a point or two.

“It doesn’t mean that you don’t give your best when it’s like this, but you miss something as a racer and hopefully I can figure out good options for me and let you know ASAP.”

Haas has yet to announce its replacement with a host of names in the frame for next season.

Experienced F1 veterans Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez have been linked with a switch to the American team, while Ferrari juniors Callum Ilott and Mick Schumacher are also contenders.

An emerging name in recent weeks is Russian F2 driver Nikita Mazepin. With significant backing to his name, he could be a likely option for Haas based on Grosjean’s comments.