Turkish Grand Prix: Mick Schumacher’s performance in qualifying thrilled Haas boss Steiner

Haas Formula 1 team boss Günther Steiner saw a better future after a groundbreaking performance by Mick Schumacher in qualifying for the Turkish Grand Prix on Saturday.

The 22-year-old rookie son of the seven-time world champion and former Ferrari star Michael will start as 14th after his first participation in the second qualifying phase. Haas with Ferrari drive is the last in the championship and the only one of 10 teams in this Season has scored one point in 15 races.

“Not only were we lucky, (the team) did a good job,” Steiner told reporters. “Everything was done well. It shows that you just have to keep working and things will come to us.

“That was my greatest personal satisfaction today to see how the team did. We’re ready for next year, we’re fine, ”he added. “If we have a better car, the racing team will be ready to score some points.”

Formula 1 begins a new era next year with a rule revolution aimed at creating a level playing field and closer races. Haas has already announced that Ferrari Academy driver Schumacher and his Russian teammate Nikita Mazepin, whose billionaire father heads title sponsor Uralkali, will remain in the same line-up.

Schumacher’s performance corresponded to the best starting position of the German rookie, which was achieved two weeks ago in Russia after penalty shootouts by some drivers. He also reached the second qualifying phase in France in June, but was unable to compete with the car that was too badly damaged by an accident in the last seconds of the first stint.

Schumacher, last year’s former Formula 2 champion, said he never doubted his skills and praised the team’s progress this season.

“I’m really happy and happy that we made it as a team and deserved it,” he said. “The progress was always there and on the way up and we have to keep that up until the end of the season.”