It’s fair to say Ralf Schumacher continues to be less impressed with Nikita Mazepin’s first season at Haas in 2021.
Ralf is hardly the most impartial judge on this particular issue, as the Russian driver had many clashes with his nephew Mick, who is on the other side of the Haas garage, during the season.
But the former Formula 1 driver turned Sky Sports expert nonetheless shared his opinion on Mazepin after his rookie campaign ended.
“Mazepin was certainly a good driver in Formula 2”, Schumacher is quoted by SpeedWeek to Sky Sports F1 in Germany.
“But this year he has developed in the wrong direction and should actually be doing something different.
“He doesn’t necessarily have to drive Formula 1.”
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Ralf believes that Mazepin’s inclusion at Haas didn’t help his nephew in his first season in Formula 1, and he wishes Mick would have someone with more experience to learn from, his own career in the “premier class of motorsport” build up.
“[He needs someone] who can help him, “added Schumacher.
“Someone who can work with him to bring the team forward so Mick isn’t alone in a lost cause.”
After scoring zero points in his rookie season, albeit in a car that kept showing that it was nowhere near a top 10 position, Ralf believes Mick will only get points in 2022 can achieve if Haas gives him better machines to work next year.
“It depends on what Haas makes available to him,” said Ralf about the prospect that Mick could break his duck.
“Then it’s up to him to implement it.”
While Mick Schumacher may have zero points for his performance in Formula 1 in the first year, he has earned special praise from Sebastian Vettel for his outstanding work ethic under difficult circumstances since the end of the campaign.
