The Haas F1 Team have revealed that one of their 2016 seats will be taken by a Ferrari reserve driver, according to Team Owner Gene Haas.
Haas has a technical partnership with Ferrari in place ahead of their planned 2016 Formula 1 debut, and the announcement means that either Esteban Gutierrez or Jean-Eric Vergne are likely to be returning to the sport next season.
Although no names have yet to be revealed, Haas has also thrown cold water onto Alexander Rossi’s hopes of making the move into the team, saying they are looking for experienced racers for their debut season.
“Hopefully in the next couple of weeks, we’ll have something to say,” said Haas to Autosport.
“One of the drivers will be a Ferrari reserve driver and we’re still looking for an experienced Formula 1 driver, a current driver. No rookies.”
Plenty of names have been thrown around regarding the drives, with current Lotus star Romain Grosjean and McLaren reserve driver Kevin Magnussen in contention, with Team Principal Gunther Steiner adding the team are looking for an experienced line-up.
“We’re just trying to find the driver who best suits what we are looking for,” said Steiner. “We would like that both have driven F1 car before.
“One we want with real experience, one who has been through a few years in F1.”