Mick Schumacher von Haas during a press conference ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest on July 29, 2021. – Reuters pic
LONDON, December 22nd – Mick Schumacher, the son of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael, will double as a Ferrari reserve driver for the next season and at the same time have a regular racing seat at the US Haas.
Team boss Mattia Binotto told reporters that the 22-year-old German would be available for 11 of the 23 planned record races should Charles Leclerc or Carlos Sainz fail.
The Italian Antonio Giovinazzi, who lost his place at the Swiss Alfa Romeo this year but has secured a start in Formula E, will be reserved for the 12 races that do not collide with the electric series.
“Whenever he (Giovinazzi) is on the racetrack, he will be our reserve driver. He will also be available to our customer teams, both Haas and Alfa Romeo, ”said Binotto.
“For the remaining 11 races … Mick Schumacher will be the substitute driver for Ferrari.”
Haas has his own official reserve with the Brazilian Pietro Fittipaldi, who stepped in twice in 2020 after Romain Grosjean’s serious accident. Alfa Romeo also has the Polish Robert Kubica in the role.
Ferrari-backed Schumacher made his Formula 1 debut this season, surpassing fellow rookie Nikita Mazepin but not scoring a point for a finishing team that devoted all of its resources to the 2022 car.
Binotto said Mick has improved in consistency and speed over the season and Ferrari’s support will continue with the simulator available in Maranello and the Ferrari engineers working with him.
“When I look at the last few races, he was much closer to the cars in front of him, while Haas didn’t really develop the car,” said the Ferrari boss.
Binotto said Giovinazzi will have a full program of simulator work and suggested that the Italian would have a chance to return to the starting grid all day in 2023.
“I think 11 seats will be vacant by 2023 … 11 have contracts that expire at the end of 2022. So it is important for him as a driver to continue to be part of our F1 program, ”he said.
Binotto said talks about a contract extension with Spaniard Sainz, who had a strong season at Ferrari after joining from McLaren, would start soon and he expected the discussion to be straightforward. Leclerc has a long-term contract.
The still unnamed Ferrari car from 2022 was scheduled to hit the market from February 16 to 18.
Ferrari finished third overall in 2021, a big jump from sixth in the preseason, and Binotto said the team are stronger than before.
They are currently without a title sponsor, but Binotto said talks with long-time partner Philip Morris International (PMI) would continue.
“I think there are a lot of ways we can work with them and keep them as partners. We currently have several options on the table and we are still talking to them, ”he said.
Binotto hoped to be able to win races again next year for Ferrari after a gap in 2021 and to get closer to Mercedes and Red Bull. – Reuters
