Ferrari F1 team principal Mattia Binotto spoke about Mick Schumacher’s future after a few races amid rumors that he will lose his race seat with the Haas F1 team and his place in the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2023. He says he has intend to speak.
Mick Schumacher, completely overshadowed by new teammate Kevin Magnussen, who returned to F1 this year, wrecked his car on weekends in Saudi Arabia and Monaco, and was publicly criticized by Haas F1 team principal Gunther Steiner and got off to a rough start to 2022.
Mick Schumacher’s form improved afterwards and he scored points in Great Britain and Austria, but he is now 12 behind Kevin Magnussen’s 22 in the Drivers’ Championship.
Mattia Binotto said Mick Schumacher still needs to improve, adding that decisions about the German’s future in both the Haas F1 team and the Ferrari Driver Academy will be made in upcoming races.
“The Ferrari Driver Academy is a very important pillar of our team and we continue to invest heavily in it,” said Mattia Binotto.
“I believe it is important to develop the best talents, look for the future and find the best talents for Ferrari.”
With Mick, as I said at the beginning of the season, it is important to improve this season.
“We will sit with him in some races, balance the season and we will do it with Haas to determine his best future.”
Will Schwartzman play a bigger role at Ferrari?
Mattia Binotto also spoke about the capabilities of current team test driver Robert Schwartzman amid uncertainty about Mick Schumacher’s status at Ferrari.
Robert Schwartzman, who finished second in the 2021 F2 championship, did not race this year. Robert Schwartzman, holder of both Russian and Israeli passports, dedicated himself to testing in Ferrari.
Despite not competing in 2022, Mattia Binotto is a more complete driver than Robert Schwartzman in 2021, with two free practice between now and the end of the season, which he added that he will drive for Ferrari in the session.
“Robert is a great driver. Whenever he drives a Formula 1 car, he is very fast,” said Mattia Binotto.
“There are drivers who may be good in F3 or F2 but not good enough in F1”.
“I think Robert is the opposite. He was certainly great in F3, F2, but he is very strong in F1. Too bad he doesn’t have a race seat at the moment.”
“This season he worked a lot on the simulator and helped our team to develop the current car.”
“As a driver, I think he has improved and developed his skills. Today he is much more mature than a year ago and I think he deserves a place in the race.”
“I know it’s very difficult right now in this situation, but I hope it will be in the future.”
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Category: F1 / Ferrari / Hearth / Mick Schumacher
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