Grosjean backed Gutierrez's recruitment as second Haas F1 driver
Romain Grosjean's positive report on Esteban Gutierrez played a part in Haas's decision to recruit the Mexican for its Formula 1 debut this season, according to team principal Gunter Steiner
Grosjean was confirmed as a Haas driver in September last year after the Frenchman opted to end his time with Lotus.
After recruiting Grosjean, Steiner and eponymous Haas owner Gene asked him for his thoughts on Gutierrez, who spent last year with Ferrari as test and reserve driver following two seasons with Sauber.
"When we picked Romain we spoke with him about Esteban," Steiner confirmed to Autosport.
"If he had said he didn't get on with him or something, or if there was no respect more than anything else, it would have been hard [to then sign him].
"Obviously Esteban is a good driver, but we didn't know him then as well as Romain, who had raced against him.
"Romain knows his technique as a driver, and knows more about him as a guy, whether he is stable or unstable, and he was very positive about him."
Steiner has no doubt Grosjean and Gutierrez will form a solid, reliable pairing that will work in harmony together.
"What we think is they will get on pretty well because they are both intelligent guys, and not just as race car drivers, but as human beings in general," added Steiner.
"They've both had a good education, they are at a good level, and I think they will get on - or at least I hope so."
Share Or Save This Story
McLaren's Alonso sure some F1 teams will get new rules wrong
Formula 1 peaked in 2000s, not Senna/Prost era, Alonso believes
How Hamilton has battled his own mentality
Vettel claims F1 is losing its DNA – but does it even exist?
Romain Grosjean exits Lamborghini after 2025 IMSA season
The missing factor that Grosjean developed too late to transform his F1 career
You Ask The Questions: Esteban Ocon
The challenge Haas faces in trying to meet F1 budget cap: "Fighting with both hands tied"
Why fans don't get true picture of driver performance with 2026 F1 rules - but it is fixable, according to Haas boss
'This is not F1 on two wheels' - Ezpeleta on investment and evolution in MotoGP
Could McLaren follow Red Bull’s path with its own F1 engine – and should it?
The Radical rise of a top prototype squad
The subtle but significant changes McLaren will make for its 2027 F1 car
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments