As many as 10 names "are on the list of candidates to drive for the new Haas Formula One team scheduled to enter the sport next year," according to Kevin Eason of the LONDON TIMES. Haas Team Principal Günther Steiner
said that the U.S.-based team "will be ready to take part next season and that the recruitment of two drivers is well under way." Steiner added that negotiations "have started but are being delayed while the annual driver shuffle in the paddock takes place, with many believing that the future of Kimi Räikkönen at Ferrari is the key." The Finn’s contract with the Scuderia "expires this season with Valtteri Bottas tipped to leave Williams for the Italian squad."
Nico Hülkenberg’s future at Force India "is also in question and there are no signs yet that Jenson Button will be retained for a seventh season at McLaren amid rumours that he could quit F1 to move alongside Chris Evans as a co-presenter of the BBC’s Top Gear programme." F1 "reconvenes this weekend in Spa for the Belgium Grand Prix." No announcements are expected but Haas is "anxious to nail down two experienced recruits by next month." Steiner: "We are talking to about 10 people. Some are very high on the list and some low. But we will have to wait to see who is available. Everyone is talking" (LONDON TIMES, 8/18).
