The Haas drivers will discover the Losail circuit in a F1

Currently eighth in the constructors’ championship, Haas F1 is one of only two teams, along with Williams, which will line up this weekend a pair of drivers who have never raced on the Losail circuit in a Formula 1 car. During the first and only edition of the Qatar Grand Prix disputed so far, Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hülkenberg were no longer regulars in Formula 1.

At the time, in 2021, the Dane was racing in Endurance in the United States after six seasons in F1 before being called up by Peugeot to prepare for the WEC. The German, on his part, was a reserve driver for Aston Martin F1 and his last season as a principal in F1 dated back to 2019 with Renault. A few months later, Magnussen was eventually recalled by Haas F1 to replace Nikita Mazepin, while Hülkenberg, after another year on the sidelines, was going to find a seat in F1 in the team led by Günther Steiner.

As the 17th round of the season looms this weekend, the two drivers will discover the Losail track at the wheel of a F1.

« “It’s a new circuit for me, I’ve never driven there. I like discovering new circuits and there is so much data and information available these days that we can prepare quite well, so I feel like I already know the circuit. The demands of the track and the feel of the kerbs are things I need to explore once on site. We have a single free practice session before qualifications, and I just need to get in the rhythm as quickly as possible »” said Magnussen.

Unlike his teammate, Hülkenberg has already raced in Qatar in promotional Formula.

« I have already run at Losail in GP2 Asia, in 2009. Obviously, it was a few years ago, but it’s a very fast and fluid circuit. I really like the night races. We will have a sprint format so it will be an additional challenge. »

Before this weekend, Haas F1 has only a two-point lead over Alfa Romeo in the constructors’ championship while Williams is nine points ahead of the American team.