Haas confirm pre-season line up schedule

Haas have confirmed how they will schedule their drivers for the pre-season test ahead of 2017. Formula 1's testing procedures will once again be carried out at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Haas have confirmed that for the first two days of the test, the 27th and 28th of February, new recruit Kevin Magnussen well take the car to the track to test it out.

Team mate Romain Grosjean will drive the next two days, the 1st and 2nd of March. Magnussen will climb back into the car for the fifth day of testing the following week on March 7th, while Grosjean will take it out the following day.

Magnussen will complete his final day in the car on March 9th before Grosjean ends pre-season testing for the team on the 10th.

Haas enter their second year of racing in F1 after a successful debut year in 2016 saw them bring home 29 points. Although they had consistent brake problems towards the end of the season, team principal Guether Steiner believes all problems are now eradicated and team owner Gene Haas is hoping for a successful season in 2017.

“I think with the knowledge we have, we should actually perform a little bit better this year,” said Gene Haas. “If we can do a little bit better because our business model in Formula One allows us to operate more efficiently, we might be able to move up a position or two.”

Steiner confirmed last month that the team are considering two separate brake manufacturers for the 2017.

"On the brake supplier we will do a parallel programme and then find out which way to go," Steiner said. "We are going to make a decision after Barcelona test. We are ready to use either-or for the race season, so we are prepared to have options -- that was always our goal."

"We didn't say we ditched somebody, we just wanted to see what else was out there and have options if one showed to be a lot better. It could be either-or, we don't know yet."

Haas have retained Romain Grosjean for the upcoming season, but have brought in former McLaren and Renault driver Kevin Magnussen to partner him.

Magnussen replaces Esteban Gutierrez, who failed to score a point for the American outfit in 2017, and said upon joining the team that they are a very easy team to work with: "They are simple in their structure and management," he said. "They are very open, honest and straightforward, which I like."

Fergal Walsh