The absolute worst-kept secret in motorsports was confirmed Friday evening, as the Haas Formula One team confirmed that Ferrari test driver Esteban Gutiérrez would be their second driver alongside Romain Grosjean.
That’s right: a team working closely with engine supplier Ferrari who announced their final driver in Mexico just said that a Mexican Ferrari test driver would be driving for them. Gutiérrez has been rumored to be in that Haas seat for almost as long as the Haas F1 Team has existed, so here you go.
Haas F1 team principal Günther Steiner said in the team’s announcement that Gutiérrez’s experience with Ferrari will be a huge asset to the team:
All along we said we were looking for experienced drivers, and we have that with Romain and Esteban. Romain has more starts, but Esteban has a deep knowledge of Ferrari and how they do things. He’s learned from the best in his role as their third driver, which means he knows how they’ve developed their current cars. He’s been a big part of that and he’ll be a big part in the development of our cars at Haas F1 Team.
Before he was Ferrari’s test driver, Gutiérrez’s previous Formula One race seat was with Sauber, who also used Ferrari engines.
There you have it. Water is wet. The sky is blue. Ice cream is delicious. And of course, Esteban Gutiérrez will be Haas’ other driver.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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