F1: Haas retain Grosjean and Magnussen for 2020 - so what next for Hulkenberg?

Haas F1 have confirmed that Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen will continue to drive for the team next season.

There had been speculation that Frenchman Grosjean could lose his seat, but the American team announced on Thursday that he and Dane Magnussen will be partners for a fourth straight year.

In a statement Haas team principal Guenther Steiner said: “Experience, and the need for it, has been one of the cornerstones of Haas F1 Team, and with Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen racing for the team in 2020, we continue to have a driver line-up that offers us a solid platform to continue our growth.

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“Their understanding of how we work as a team, and our knowledge of what they can deliver behind the wheel, gives us a valued continuity and a strong foundation to keep building our team around.

“It’s been a tough year for us in 2019 with the fluctuation in performance of the VF-19, but our ability to tap into our combined experiences will help us learn, improve, and move forward as a unit in 2020.”

Ahead of this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix Haas are ninth in the constructors’ championship with just 26 points from 14 races so far in 2019. Magnussen has won 18 of those points while Grosjean has eight.

What next for Hulk?

Nico Hulkenberg had been linked with a move to Haas next year, but with Grosjean and Magnussen now retained where does that leave the German driver?

The 32-year-old will depart Renault at the end of the season after the French team confirmed last month that Esteban Ocon would be Daniel Ricciardo’s new team-mate.

GPFans.com says that Hulkenberg’s chances of staying in Formula 1 are becoming “increasingly thin” - that was before Haas confirmed their line-up for the 2020 F1 season.

Earlier this week Hulkenberg had denied rumours of a Haas deal, but said his team were working on securing a drive.

“There is definitely interest and options that we are working on, there are negotiations and talks, but nothing concrete has been decided yet,” he said. “But if I want, I’ll get another race seat.”

Autosport reports that Antonio Giovinazzi’s seat at Alfa Romeo could be Hulkenberg’s best option to remain on the grid in 2020. However, Ferrari have backed Italian Giovinazzi, who is part of their driver stable.

Auto Bild also suggests that Hulkenberg could go to Alfa. The German publication says: “Now it’s clear: Nico Hulkenberg does not go to Haas. That speaks for a change to Alfa Romeo.”

Kubica to leave Williams

Williams Racing have also announced that Robert Kubica has decided to leave the team at the end of the season.

The Polish driver said: “I would like to thank the team for the last two years and for helping make my comeback to the Formula 1 grid possible. I have enjoyed my time with Williams Racing, both as reserve and development driver and as a race driver this year, but I feel that the time is now right for me to move on to the next chapter in my career.”

F2 racer Nicholas Latifi, who is currently test driver at Williams, is the frontrunner to replace Kubica. However, Hulkenberg could also be a candidate having driven for Williams in 2010.