Max Chilton in talks for Haas F1 Team seat for 2016

British driver Max Chilton has revealed he is one of the contenders for F1’s new team

British driver Max Chilton has revealed he is one of “10 drivers” who have been contacted by the newest entrant to the F1 fray, Haas F1 team. The American outfit, which will make its debut in 2016, confirmed last month that they had signed French driver Romain Grosjean already, and that he would occupy the primary seat on the team.

Chilton, who debuted in Formula One in 2013 with Marussia, had been testing in the sport two years prior. He held his seat through 2013 and 2014, partnering the late Jules Bianchi at the team, which was plagued with financial issues and closed down in 2014 after going into administration. This meant he had no ride for the following season, so he left the sport.

Currently, Chilton tests for Carlin Motorsport, whom he raced with in 2009 in Formula 3. He is testing with the team’s IndyLights effort, with what he had said at the time was an aim to secure a 2016 seat in the IndyCar series.

He is also signed to Nissan Motorsports for the World Endurance Championship, and has finished one race in the category this year.

The 24-year-old Briton took his first ever IndyLights pole position and win on the weekend of 17^th July, the same day his close friend and former teammate Jules Bianchi succumbed to injuries he had sustained the previous year whilst driving alongside Chilton at the Japanese Grand Prix of 2014.

Other drivers said to be in the running for the second seat at Haas are Ferrari test driver Esteban Gutierrez, who currently seems the most likely candidate for the post considering Team Haas’ close associations with Ferrari. Haas were also alleged to have been in touch with Jean-Eric Vergne for a spot, although this remained unconfirmed.