Ferrari F1 team principal Mattia Binotto isn’t sure if Mick Schumacher will still be on the Formula 1 grid next year.
The 23-year-old German made his debut for Haas last year and impressed alongside Nikita Mazepin, but his performances have been more mixed when paired with the experienced Kevin Magnussen in 2022.
Schumacher is tentatively linked with the vacant seat at Alpine, but most insiders suspect that if he is ousted by Haas, he may not find another ride in F1.
“We all know that Formula 1 is always about performance,” Haas F1 principal Guenther Steiner told German media outlet Sky Deutschland. “That’s why the decision takes time. We don’t want to decide something now that we would regret in two months.”
Schumacher has scored top-10 finishes in just two of 35 career F1 races. He’s 15th in the Formula 1 Drivers’ Standings, four place and 10 points behind his own teammate Magnussen.
It is even rumored that, perhaps at the advice of his mentor Sebastian Vettel, Schumacher is set to depart Ferrari’s driver academy. Meanwhile, Steiner has made no secret of the fact that Ferrari, headed by Binotto, has a big say on the occupant of one of Haas’ annual race seats.
Antonio Giovinazzi, who is still a clear Ferrari academy driver, will drive the Haas car in free practice at Monza and again in Austin, with Steiner admitting it was at Ferrari’s behavior.
Mick Schumacher is apparently not on the fast track to a top ride in Formula 1.
Mark ThompsonGetty Images
At the same time, Binotto is not willing to say if Schumacher will be at Haas next year.
“He has improved in the last few races, but it’s still too early to judge,” said Binotto last week at Spa.
However, Steiner pointed out at Spa that Ferrari in fact will not have a say about Haas’ 2023 driver lineup.
Binotto said: “We will sit down with Gunther and make a decision.”
Vettel insists that Schumacher deserves to stay in Formula 1, and points the finger at Haas for not providing him with a good enough car.
“The car isn’t as good as it was at the beginning of the year, so when you can’t be fifth or sixth it’s difficult to attract attention,” Vettel said. “But he’s doing a good job in the background, and I hope he stays in there and gets a good car.”
