Last Updated: November 12, 2022, 22:43 IST
Mick Schumacher (Twitter)
Mick Schumacher will be out of contract with Haas after F1’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Team boss Gunther Steiner said Saturday that Haas will announce their decision on the future of Mick Schumacher next week.
The 23-year-old son of seven-time champion Michael will be out of contract with Haas after next week’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
He has struggled for consistency this year and on Friday qualified 20th and last at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix while team-mate Kevin Magnussen claimed his and the team’s maiden pole position in Saturday’s sprint race.
“You can expect the announcement some time next week,” said Steiner. “I’m not telling you which day because then everyone will be waiting – it will be next week.”
German Schumacher has scored 12 points to Magnussen’s 24 this year, but has suffered inconsistency, leading to a prolonged speculation over his future with the American-owned team.
Experienced fellow-German Nico Hulkenberg is expected to leave his post as test and reserve driver at Aston Martin to succeed him – and Aston Martin this week confirmed they were recruiting Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne as a reserve for 2023.
Steiner said he had some sympathy for Schumacher.
“I felt almost sorry for him,” he said. “The first two runs were very good and then with the dry tyres he couldn’t get the feeling. He lost a bit of (tyre) temperature when a couple of people overtook him and then he lost a bit of confidence.
“It reflected his year, he’s had some good moments and he’s had some bad ones.”
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