German former racing driver Ralf Schumacher, the younger brother of seven-time Formula One World Champion and Scuderia Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher, has hit out at Haas boss Gunther Steiner, as he believes the American team will not offer the Ferrari junior a contract extension for the 2023 Formula 1 season and that the Haas team principal has “never been satisfied” with Mick’s performances.
The Ferrari Driver Academy member will most likely not find a seat on the grid for the next championship, with several media outlets reporting that Nico Hulkenberg will join Haas for 2023 alongside Kevin Magnussen.
Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher feels Gunther Steiner’s behaviour towards nephew Mick during the last few weeks has not been ‘positive’ and has questioned his approach and how is running of the American team.
“I don’t think Haas is going to decide in Mick’s favour, otherwise they would have done that a long time ago,” Ralf Schumacher said in a recent interview for Sky Sports – “I think the way the team is dealing with Mick and the ‘openness’ of Team Principal Guenther Steiner – I’ll just describe it politely – is not necessarily positive.” – he added.
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Michael Schumacher’s brother feels that Gunther Steiner has never satisfied with Mick Schumacher‘s performances this season, despite the fact that the Ferrari junior has shown potential on some race weekends, which several times were compromised by wrong strategy decisions made by the Haas pit wall:
“Mick has shown that there is potential but, no matter what he did, the team and Guenther Steiner were never satisfied with it,” he said – “The whole behaviour cannot be explained with normal standards. It almost has to be something personal. I think that Steiner doesn’t get along with the fact that someone else is the focus at Haas.” – Ralf Schumacher pointed out.
The former Formula 1 driver also feels that the difficult situation Mick has been going through this season has gradually increased the pressure being put on the Ferrari junior to prove himself to Haas and this in fact has prevented him from being able to “drive freely” without too much scrutiny.
“He’s under constant pressure not to make any mistakes, otherwise he can’t continue to work for Haas. When you’re under that kind of pressure, you can’t drive freely.” – Ralf Schumacher concluded.
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