Maybe now they can afford to hire a front runner like Ricciardo.
As far as that second open Hass seat, I was hoping they would give Mick another year. All least year he never got to race anyone except occasionally Mazepin (and all that counts there weas surviving Mazepin). That was, well.........because he wasn't racing. He was just driving around all by himself in a year old, irrelevant car. He probably learned more in F2.
Being at Haas in 21 was a losing proposition. They knew they were going to be last every weekend. I don't think experience in that car helped Mick even a little when they completely changed the cars for 22. Mick came in this year with very little F1 wheel to wheel experience and a brand-new type of car. I'de be willing to view 22 as Mick's rookie season, and with that in mind he has not done that badly.
It was either Steiner or Haas himself that mentioned Mick has cost them a lot of money in wrecked cars, and if that's a priority, why did they keep Grosjean for so long? He tore up a ton more stuff, so much more it's not even close. I think Haas is holding out for maybe Ricciardo, or someone else they feel will get then better results than Mick has. Now Mick has that sword of Damocles hanging over him to get good results with a car that has fallen off the pace. Even Mags hasn't bagged many points lately either.
OTOH, Emerson Fittipaldi said Mick should go to Williams because they stand to improve the most, while there is no telling where Haas will be. If I am Mick with a firm offer from Williams, I'de take that over a team that may or may not want me. Mick is not in a good position to be fighting for the last and second to last car, but I think almost everyone hopes he stays in F1 and makes the most out of wherever he lands. If he has to suck it up for a few years at Williams, remember that didn't hurt Russel much.
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