Not long after announcing Romain Grosjean as its first driver, the Haas F1 team has confirmed that Esteban Gutierrez will finish off its driver lineup for the 2016 Formula One season.
In 2013 and 2014, Gutierrez raced for the Sauber team before landing a gig as a test and reserve driver for Ferrari for the 2015 season. The young 24-year-old Mexican racer will have his first chance to drive the Haas F1 car during pre-season testing on February 22-25 2016. The second test will be held March 1-4 before the 2016 Formula One season starts on March 20 in Melbourne.
Discussing the signing, the racing outfit’s founder and chairman Gene Hass said “I got to know Esteban through our relationship with Ferrari, and after looking at the success he’s had to earn his role there, it became clear he was an excellent choice for our race team. He’s young and hungry, but not inexperienced. His two years running a full F1 schedule has given him some very good race experience, and having spent this season at Ferrari as their third driver allowed him to see firsthand the methodology that makes Ferrari such a power in Formula One.
“We’re very happy to have Esteban as a part of our race team. Between him and Romain, we have a strong driver lineup that will help us develop our car and, ultimately, score some points in our inaugural season,” Haas said.
Gutierrez added to this by saying “This is an excellent opportunity that builds on my time with Ferrari and I will make the most of it. Gene Haas believes in me and I believe in how he’s going about competing in Formula One. To have a race seat in a competitive car with Ferrari power is very special, and I appreciate the faith he has in me. I trust we’ll be able to achieve great things together.”
