Ferrari Driver Academy member Mick Schumacher has defended the decision of the FIA to act with caution in the final stages of the 2022 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix, even though this meant the race finished behind the safety car and Mick Schumacher missed out on the chance to score some points at the Monza circuit.
The Haas driver was up to 12th place in the final part of the Italian Grand Prix and had pitted under the late-race safety car for a new fresh of soft tyre hoping to be able to attack the points-zone in the final laps of the race. However, with Daniel Ricciardo’s damaged McLaren left stranded between the two Lesmos and a mistake from the FIA which sent the safety car in front of George Russell instead of race leader Max Verstappen, there was no more time for any track action in the final laps.
Since then, the paddock has been divided over this outcome: some have agreed with how the FIA acted because the rules were respected, while others, led by Scuderia Ferrari and Red Bull team principals Mattia Binotto and Christian Horner, were disappointed by how much the FIA needed to remove the McLaren car and restart the Italian GP.
When asked about his race at Monza, Mick Schumacher replied: “It was definitely a good drive but, unfortunately, I didn’t get anything out of it. I think points were possible, and especially once the safety car came out, I was like ‘okay, I’m in a position for some decent points’. But nonetheless, if it’s for safety, that’s the right decision. For sure, I’ll respect it, and we showed our performance.” – the Ferrari junior said.
The power unit failure suffered by Daniel Ricciardo led to the safety car being deployed with five laps until the end of the Italian Grand Prix. However, it took four laps for the damaged McLaren car to be removed from the side of the track – eventually by crane.
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Asked about the time needed to clear the circuit, Mick Schumacher added: “I don’t know the state of the car, whether it was in a dangerous state. Of course, I understand the marshals don’t really want to get electrocuted. I wouldn’t want to either, so I definitely respect that. It’s the decision of the race director and the FIA to take that and respect it.” – he concluded.
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