Mick Schumacher’s future in F1 is clouded. Schumacher has stepped up his game in recent grands prix, but Haas F1 team boss Guenther Steiner has admitted Kevin Magnussen’s teammate for 2023 is “still to be decided”.
“We are thinking about what is best for the development of the team,” Gunther Steiner told Speed Week. “Are we just looking at technology or are we looking at the driving element as well?”
“To be honest, I don’t know if Mick will stay. He had very good races in Canada, England and Austria, but he lacks the consistency to perform well.”
“We are not in a rush about the driver issue and Mick still has a chance to show what he can do.”
Perhaps even more worrying for the son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher, the 23-year-old appears to have lost even the support of Ferrari’s driver academy.
“It’s been another unlucky weekend for Mick,” Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto told Sky Italia when asked about Mick Schumacher’s future after the Italian Grand Prix. “It is therefore difficult to judge his performance this weekend.”
“There are still a few races left, so hopefully we can talk with Haas and make the best decision for him and his future.”
Nico Hulkenberg has emerged as a surprise frontrunner, emerging from the F1 sabbatical to form a highly experienced driver line-up for the Haas F1 team in 2023, according to German press reports.
“I’m talking to most of the potential drivers,” Gunther Steiner said at Monza when asked about the 35-year-old Nico Hulkenberg.
“I don’t have anything specific yet, but I want to take minimal risks for the development of the team. You can take big risks, but when it works it’s great, when it doesn’t work it sucks.”
This means Haas F1 Team is looking for an experienced and technically minded teammate like Kevin Magnussen.
“Yes, but there is no such driver on the market today,” said Steiner.
“With the exception of probably Daniel[Ricciardo]he’s not feeling well at the moment and I don’t know what he’ll do.”
“Maybe he won’t be there for a year. Like I said, I’m talking to everyone.”
Category: F1 / Hearth / Daniel Ricardo / Mick Schumacher