The question of Mick Schumacher's future is a nerve-wracking topic in Formula 1. But according to a media report, there are actually signs of a solution with his current team. And that despite his momentous crash in training for the Japanese Grand Prix.
A glimmer of hope for Mick Schumacher: According to "Sport1" information, the 23-year-old can actually hope for a new one-year contract with his current Haas racing team. This could therefore already be signed for the US guest performance in Austin in two weeks. Team owner Gene Haas is said to be there. It should only be a matter of details. Both sides are convinced of the further cooperation. For the season after next, Schumacher could then switch to the Sauber team, where Audi could then have the say. According to the report, the people from Ingolstadt want to bring the pilot into their project.
So far, Haas has only contracted Kevin Magnussen from Denmark. Team boss Günther Steiner repeated around the Japanese Grand Prix that there is no hurry to tie someone to you. "I don't know," he replied when asked when the Haas racing team would announce the name of its second driver for 2023. He hopes to have an answer by the season finale in Abu Dhabi on November 20th.
According to the team boss, extending with Schumacher would have an advantage, but what this is still worth remains unclear. "If you can have someone you've worked with for two years, that's always better than getting someone new. You don't need to get used to it," said Steiner. Schumacher has been driving for the Americans since the pre-season. One of the competitors for the cockpit should be the German Nico Hülkenberg.
Steiner praised Schumacher for his development before his violent crash in training in Suzuka, but he wanted to wait for further solid and flawless performances. "He didn't get his championship points with luck, but through performance," said Steiner. Schumacher is 16th overall with twelve World Cup points. However, he scored his last points so far in July at the Grand Prix in Austria. In Japan, however, the 23-year-old was responsible for the crash with his Haas car on a rain-soaked track during the slow-down lap. He flew off and hit the perimeter hard. As his team later announced, the impact was so severe that the entire chassis had to be replaced as a precautionary measure.
Schumacher will be back in the car on Saturday and qualify for the Grand Prix on Sunday (7 a.m. in the live ticker on ntv.de). "We have to work more tomorrow, but the track and the car feel good. Hopefully we're in a good position," said the former Formula 2 champion: "Hopefully we can fight for points here." However, Schumacher made this task considerably more difficult for himself with his faux pas.
(This article was first published on Friday, October 07, 2022.)
