Haas 2016 shortlist down to five drivers

Gene Haas has revealed that there is a shortlist of five drivers in contention to race for his new North American Formula 1 team.

Ferrari reserve driver Jean-Eric Vergne is out of the running after committing to a second season in Formula E, but the NASCAR has hinted that Esteban Gutierrez is close to agreeing a deal with the constructor.

He told Motorsport: "We're down to five now, I think.

"He's [Gutierrez] a Ferrari reserve driver, so Ferrari would be interested in seeing how he does and it kind of helps both parties.

"We get a driver who Ferrari thinks has a lot of potential and we can see how he does too."

Gutierrez drove for Sauber, alongside Adrian Sutil, until the team replaced the pair with Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr.