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Steiner confident about Haas signing 'a top driver’

Gunther Steiner feels Haas has a strong likelihood of securing the services of 'a top driver' for 2017 and predicts deals to be finalised before the last race of the year.

Haas is yet to formally confirm its driver line-up for next season and has previously stated it will use the final stretch of races this season to assess its options.

With a number of race seats still up for grabs across the F1 grid, Steiner says many drivers have multiple options potentially open to them but is confident deals will be sorted by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale.

Romain Grosjean looks likely to remain at Haas for a second year while the American team has been strongly linked to taking on Kevin Magnussen if he is edged out at Renault, but if the Danish driver is retained it may stick with Esteban Gutierrez.

"I think everyone is sitting and waiting and nobody is doing anything...somebody has to make a move because everybody has options," Steiner said. "Each person I speak with has got options and some have options with two it sounds like.

"Some will move pretty soon, doing the deals after the last race is always pretty difficult as people want to go away and get distance so let us see what happens in the next two weeks."

When asked whether Haas was going to sign what he considers a 'top driver' without referencing directly to any individuals Steiner responded: "I'm 50/50 as confident as I can be but I am realistic as well. I think we have got chance so let us see what will happen."

After Williams confirmed Lance Stroll would become Valtteri Bottas's new team-mate in 2017, eight spots on the F1 grid remain vacanted; two at Haas, Manor and Sauber plus one at Renault and Force India. 

Zdroj: crash.net