Niko Hulkenberg sends five-word message to Gene Haas after confirming 2024 F1 plans

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Haas have announced that Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen will be retained as their drivers for the 2024 Formula 1 season.

The team announced today that the experienced pair would be continuing with the American team next year.

Haas have struggled this season and are currently only eight points ahead of bottom-placed team AlphaTauri.

They turned to Nico Hulkenberg to replace Mick Schumacher and his performances initially surprised team boss Guenther Steiner.

Three points finishes in the first five races suggested that Haas might be the best of the mid-table teams going into this season.

However, aside from a fantastic Sprint Race performance from Hulkenberg in Austria, neither driver has scored a point in a Sunday race since Miami.

The team had a big decision to make with their fortunes not expected to improve any time soon.

Haas had to choose between sticking with Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen for 2024 or potentially introducing a new driver.

There are plenty of youngsters itching to get into Formula 1, with last year’s F2 champion Felipe Drugovich waiting in the wings at Aston Martin.

Reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi might have been angling for a drive as well, but Haas have gone with experience ahead of next year when the cars are expected to be very similar.

Haas stick with Hulkenberg and Magnussen for 2024

The German driver took to Instagram when the news was announced and couldn’t help making a joke about the team owner.

He said: “No need to call Gene [winking emoji]. Hulk x @haasf1team x 2024.

“Also happy to continue working alongside @kevinmagnussen!”

Former drivers Giedo van der Garde and Robert Doornbos both sent messages of congratulations.

Hulkenberg has always had a good sense of humour which is what Haas fans might have needed for much of the season.

The car has failed to keep up with the development of their nearest rivals, with Williams now level on points with them.

Haas and Hulkenberg will hope their fortunes improve in 2024.

Their pace in qualifying hasn’t been bad, but every Sunday they tend to slip down the grid.

If they can improve their race pace then the team should score more points in the next 10 races.

However, their rivals are also doing their best to keep up with the big boys and with reliability so good this year, it’s made it very difficult for the back markers to pick up points.