Ferrari recently announced that they had signed a contract extension with the Spanish driver Carlos Sainz. The new contract keeps him with the reds till the end of 2024. The team has arguably got the strongest driver lineup currently on the grid with Sainz and Leclerc. But before Sainz’s contract extension, there were some rumors that Mick Schumacher was also considering for the Ferrari seat for the 2023 season.
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The Haas driver impressed everyone with his driving in his rookie season in 2021 and how he beat his then teammate Nikita Mazepin. But former Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger mentioned it is a good thing that Schumacher will not race for Ferrari in 2023.
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The Austrian mentioned that the German driver is far too young, and it would have been far too early for him to drive for Ferrari. Mick is a part of the Ferrari driver Academy since his junior career days.
Former F1 driver states Mick Schumacher not joining Ferrari is a good thing
According to Berger, the young German driver should focus on beating his 2022 teammate Kevin Magnussen to prove his mettle in this sport. Magnussen is a far more accomplished driver than Schumacher’s previous teammate Mazepin. Gerhard also mentioned that if Mick can get the better of Kevin, then it would really help his career.
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“He admits it himself. And I also think a move to Ferrari in 2023 would have been way too early for Mick. Mick just has to get his way now, and he has to show this year that he can compete with his teammate too and he’s ahead of him,” said Berger.
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – MARCH 10: . , Mick Schumacher (DEU), Uralkali Haas F1 Team, Kevin Magnussen (DNK) during Day One of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on March 10, 2022, in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Hasan Bratic/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
“Therefore, he has a huge task ahead of him because Kevin is one hell of a customer. He beats him, it will open doors for him. Otherwise, it will be more difficult. I don’t think Mick is thinking about it either, thinking about how to go to Ferrari now. He knows now he has to perform at Haas, now he has to beat his teammate,” concluded the former F1 driver.
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It will definitely have been a disappointment for Schumacher to not land the coveted Ferrari drive. But he now has a challenge in front of him as he has to beat his teammate to prove to everyone on the grid that he is worthy of a drive in a top team. It would be interesting to see how he holds up against the experience and talent of Magnussen.
