Hulkenberg could get F1 lifeline from Haas

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has expressed an interest in signing Nico Hulkenberg to partner Kevin Magnussen in 2020, offering the German a lifeline in Formula 1 after it was confirmed he will not be retained by Renault.

Esteban Ocon will replace Hulkenberg at the French squad in 2020, ending the German's association with Enstone after three seasons.

Midfield seats are tough to come by, with McLaren having confirmed Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris, Racing Point expected to retain Sergio Perez alongside Lance Stroll and Alfa Romeo likely to look to Ferrari's academy if Antonio Giovinazzi does not partner Kimi Raikkonen again.

A seat could open up at Haas, however, with Romain Grosjean in the final year of his contract and struggling to deliver consistent results this year. The Frenchman has also tangled routinely with Kevin Magnussen, who is under contract for next year already.

Speaking before Ocon's move was confirmed, Steiner said Hulkenberg was in consideration along with Grosjean for the seat.

He told reporters: "We're almost there. It's not a long time until we decide what to do.

"I will spend some time with Gene [Haas] also this and next week, and that was always our time, Spa-Monza, when we spend quite a bit of time together too and then the team decides what to do.

"There's not many drivers - I always said to you, we always said that our dream was always to have a driver with experience. So for sure there's interest [in Hulkenberg].

"There's interest in Ocon, I always said that they are the two. And there's interest for Romain as well. So we just need to decide who we go with.

"They are the three with experience, otherwise I couldn't see anyone else who has got experience who is on the market."

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