Mick Schumacher made headlines even before his F1 debut. While his last name played a role in his racing career, some fans believed sponsorship also helped him get the Haas racing seat. Team boss Günther Steiners has refuted this claim.
Netflix’s Drive to Survive Season 3 was at its best to take us behind the scenes of an F1 team. And one of the notable aspects was Haas’ negotiations with the German internet company 1 & 1. The company wanted to position its brand alongside a driver of their nationality.
Formula 1 F1 – Grand Prix of Emilia Romagna – Autodromo Internazionale Enzo and Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – Haas team principal Günther Steiner during a press conference FIA / Handout via REUTERS
Of course, it has led some people to theorize that this is one of the factors that played a role in Mick’s arrival at Haas. However, the negotiations between 1 & 1 and Haas were already underway before Mick came into the picture. Team boss Günther Steiner recently said –
“The 1 & 1 sponsorship is a Haas team sponsorship, it is not a Mick sponsorship, just to make it clear. There is no direct connection between 1 & 1 and Mick. Of course, 1 & 1 welcomes Mick to Haas, but this was a parallel development, not a combined development. “
Ferrari met Mick Schumacher, not 1 & 1
While his father, Michael Schumacher, had financial support from Mercedes at the beginning of his career, Mick is not supported from a sponsorship point of view.
Rather, Ferrari controls its F1 career right now as it is part of their young driver academy. Last season there was a well-documented dispute between Alfa Romeo and Haas over Mick’s signature. And Ferrari opted for an American outfit to start Mick’s career at the height of motorsport.
“It certainly helped us at 1 & 1 and 1 & 1 is very happy about Mick at Haas. But that was more of a Ferrari decision as to where to send the drivers and we asked if we could have him because he won Formula 2. But there is no direct negotiation between the company and Mick, ”said Günther Steiner.
SCARPERIA, ITALY: Mick Schumacher of Germany prepares to drive his father Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari F2004 ahead of the Tuscany F1 Grand Prix at the Mugello Circuit in Scarperia, Italy. (Photo by Mark Thompson / Getty Images)
We also have to remember that the young Schumacher won the F2 championship. And he drove the car to fame, not his name. Granted, it helps, but it can only get you that far. So he has achieved what he has achieved so far.
Continue reading – Why is Mick Schumacher driving with number 47? The link to Michael Schumacher explains
The post Steiner clarifies the role of the German sponsor at Mick Schumacher as Haas F1 seat first appeared on monter-une-startup.
