Ferrari Driver Academy member Mick Schumacher has confirmed that he could take into consideration the a reserve role in Formula 1 for the 2023 season, after Haas officially announced that they would not offer him a contract extension for the next year.
The Ferrari junior had hoped to convince Haas of deserving a seat on grid for 2023, but the American side opted to sign Nico Hulkenberg and complete its driver line-up alongside Kevin Magnussen.
Mick Schumacher made his Formula 1 debut with Haas in 2021, when he partnered Nikita Mazepin and was able to win the internal battle with the Russian driver. However, Mick struggled in the current F1 campaign against new teammate Kevin Magnussen, especially in the start of the season.
The Ferrari junior took part in Thursday’s press conference at the Yas Marina circuit ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand prix and was asked to comment on the news. Mick Schumacher pointed out that he had improved during the championship and felt that he should have been given more time after a “tough” 2021 debut year.
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“Obviously, it’s disappointing in some ways because I feel like I’ve been doing a good job up to this point,” Mick Schumacher admitted – “On the other hand, the team decided to go that way, so I have to respect that. I’m focused on the future. We’ve had our ups and downs for sure, but I think that the trend was always pointing upwards, and I think that is what’s important. It’s only my second year in Formula One. Last year… I don’t even know if you can really count it as a year because obviously it was a tough one, we were only at the back. I had to get used to being in the midfield pack fighting, and I feel that across the year we’ve managed to do that, and I feel like I’ve extracted the maximum out of each situation.” – the Ferrari junior added.
As speculation grew during the last few weekend regarding Mick Schumacher’s future in Formula 1 alongside Haas, the German driver understood that he had to evaluate other opportunities for the next year, but with the clear goal of one day returning in the most important racing series as soon as possible. One option for Mick is to join Mercedes as reserve driver for the 2023 campaign, hoping to be back on the grid in 2024.
When asked about his next move, Mick Schumacher hinted that a reserve driver role for the following season is a possibility: “I just want to put myself into a position where I know it’s going to be right for me and, whether that’s reserve or if that’s driving, [then] that’s to be discussed and to be analysed. I have the people that I trust around me who I will be consulting with and then I’ll come out with some news hopefully soon.” – Ferrari Driver Academy member Mick Schumacher concluded.
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