Formula 1: Haas making a mistake heading into 2024?

As we approach the important part of the 2023 Formula 1 season in which next year’s driver lineups are announced, Haas might be making a big mistake.

Driver lineup rumors are always towards the top of Formula 1 news pages at this time of the season, and this year is and will continue to be no different. The rumors surrounding the 2024 driver lineup for Haas could be rather interesting, given Guenther Steiner’s likely choice.

The rumored 2024 lineup for Haas is no different than this year’s, with Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen both believed to be returning to the team. It is quite an interesting choice, considering the performance of the team, both drivers, and who could be available on the market.

Hulkenberg’s retainment would not raise too many eyebrows, as the 35-year-old has done very well in his return to Formula 1. It would be well deserved, considering how well the German has done in qualifying and the fact that he has scored 82% of the team’s points in the constructor championship.

Kevin Magnussen, on the other hand, has been average at best throughout the 2023 Formula 1 season.

His performance in qualifying has been nothing spectacular, as it has been quite the struggle just for him to get out of Q1. His race day performances have not been particularly good either, with only a mere two points to his name through the first 12 races of the season.

With such a disparity between the performance of the two drivers, it makes one question if Magnussen deserves to retain his seat, especially considering who else is available.

There are both experienced and younger drivers still looking for full-time seats in Formula 1 for next year, including Daniel Ricciardo, Liam Lawson, Felipe Drugovich, among others who may not be retained by their teams going into 2024.

Even as Steiner prioritizes experience over youth amid an urgent desire for success, there are quite a few options with more potential to satisfy his needs at Haas than Magnussen.

With Magnussen having been outperformed by his teammate in what is his second stint with Haas, it would be a mistake to stick with him going into 2024. The Danish driver still has potential to succeed in Formula 1, but moving forward with the same duo would be a rather gutsy call from Steiner.