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F1 Mexican GP: Gutierrez 'strongly considering other options' to Haas

Esteban Gutierrez says he is "strongly considering other options' after Haas F1 said it will not make a decision on its drivers until near the end of the season.

Gene Haas confirmed the American team is still evaluating its options earlier this week, and when asked about his own plans for 2017, Gutierrez revealed he is not prepared to wait and risk being left without a drive.

"My team has been very clear in the media, they want to wait a few races,' said Gutierrez, who was announced as a Haas driver here in Mexico twelve months ago. "Fortunately we have other options, which we are now considering strongly.

"I think it will be important to close something soon because we cannot risk to just wait a few more races until the end of the season and risk to fall between two chairs. We are doing our best and things are looking very good for next season."

Quizzed on if he has set a deadline to conclude his negotiations, he replied: "That deadline should be in the next two weeks."

Meanwhile, the 25-year-old, who has yet to score this season, although he has finished P11 five times - said he can't wait to race at home for the first time this weekend.

"It is an incredible feeling to be here and see how all the people are excited," he noted. "I feel honoured to be able to share this great weekend, this great moment, with all the people that are going to be here supporting us, family, friends and fans. It is just an incredible feeling. It feels like a big party the whole weekend. Everybody is excited.

"I am very grateful for all the support and I am going to give my best to give the best result possible this weekend. I am lucky to be here." 

Zdroj: crash.net