Haas plays Schumacher down on Alfa Romeo rumors

Mick Schumacher, Austrian GP 2021

© Haas F1-Team / LAT

Gunther Steiner downplayed reports that Haas could lose Mick Schumacher.

It has been reported that, despite the ever-growing ties between Haas and Ferrari, the fabled Italian brand sees Alfa Romeo as a better place for Schumacher to learn the basics of Formula 1.

In fact, the Hinwil-based team will maintain its Ferrari connections until 2022 and beyond, as a “multi-year” extension of the naming contract between Sauber and Alfa Romeo was announced on Wednesday.

At the same time, the seat of Kimi Raikkonen for 2022 looks uncertain.

“Everyone likes Kimi,” said former driver Marc Surer to the newspaper “Blick”. “He still has one of the biggest following.

“But his time just ran out.”

Since a Schumacher-Antonio Giovinazzi pairing at Alfa Romeo seems possible next year, team boss Frederic Vasseur insisted: “We’re not in a hurry.”

According to Haas’ Steiner, however, these are only “rumors”.

“This is Formula 1, think about it,” he told RTL reporter Felix Gorner.

“At the moment it looks like we will have the same driver pairing next year. We still have to clarify a few details, but otherwise everything is clear, ”said Steiner.

The Haas team boss also believes that staying at Haas is the best for the 22-year-old Schumacher, who is the son of Formula 1 legend Michael.

“It is important for Mick to stay on the same team,” emphasized Steiner. “To give it a little stability.

“He now knows our people, our processes. I think he also enjoys being part of our team.

“So there’s no reason he won’t be with us, and I think it’s the same on his part.”

Steiner also believes Haas might be able to go wheel to wheel with Alfa Romeo next year.

“We’ll have a better car than we do now,” he said. “How good, I don’t know yet. But I am confident that it will be fine.

“At the moment there is nothing to prevent us from being as good or better than Alfa Romeo. But I am sure that they will work hard on it too.”

(GMM)