Haas would consider running Ferrari juniors in Friday practice as they evaluate 2021 options

The likes of Mick Schumacher, Robert Shwartzman and Callum Ilott – all Ferrari juniors – could find themselves in Haas overalls during a Formula 1 practice session at some point this year according to Team Principal Guenther Steiner.

The American team have a very close relationship with Ferrari, which involves them taking a series of parts, including the power unit – while Haas are also currently mulling their 2021 driver line-up, with Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean both out of contract at the end of the year.

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The team have a plethora of options, including sticking with their current drivers, enticing experience in the now available Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg, or choosing youth by further strengthening their relationship with Ferrari.

On the Thursday ahead of the Russian Grand Prix at Sochi, Steiner suggested that as part of their driver evaluation, he would be open to running a Ferrari junior driver, with Schumacher, Ilott and Shwartzman currently first, second and fourth respectively in the F2 standings.

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“It could be [that we run a Ferrari junior in Friday practice],” said Steiner. “That’s more a Ferrari thing, if they ask us to help out. They are helping us out this year because we have got our issues this year with the COVID, so they are helping us and in the end, we’re helping each other.

“If they ask, I would be open to discussing it at least.”

The Formula 2 season resumes this weekend in Russia, with the Feature Race on Saturday and Sprint Race on Sunday.