While Mick Schumacher is still fighting for a new contract with Haas, team owner Gene Haas shoots the German. He denounces the costly crashes.
Las Vegas – Mick Schumacher has four more races to convince the Haas team to extend his contract. So Schumacher’s clock is slowly moving towards twelve to five. In addition to team boss Günther Steiner, he should primarily be in the hands of Gene Haas, the team owner of the Formula 1 stables, if Schumacher has a future with the US team.
Ironically, it is now Gene Haas who publicly denounces Mick’s costly incidents. However, he does not even want to close the door on extending his contract, even though he has already talked to other riders.
Haas: Schumacher “cost us a fortune”
On the sidelines of a NASCAR event in Las Vegas, Gene Haas was asked about Mick Schumacher’s future in the cockpit of his racing team. Opposite to The Associated Press the 69-year-old first entered his potential performance, but soon also faced his costly mistakes. “I think Mick has a lot of potential, but you have to understand that he cost us a fortune and destroyed a lot of cars that cost us a lot of money that we just don’t have.”
Accidents caused by Schumacher would cost the racing team “millions of dollars” and are “just too expensive” overall. Also, Mick hasn’t scored enough points for Gene Haas’ liking this season. “If you are Verstappen and a car crashes every now and then, then we will accept it. But if you follow and crash the cars, it will be very difficult. “
Haas had already been in contact with other drivers
In Las Vegas, Gene Haas also confirmed that there have already been contacts with other drivers who could occupy the cockpit alongside Kevin Magnussen next season. Above all, Nico Hülkenberg seems to be another German at the top of Haas’ list. Team leader Steiner has already confirmed his interest in the former Renault driver.
This sets the bar for Schumacher for the remaining four races this season. He has to show “that he can score a few more points.” The next opportunity to do so is at Haas’ home race, the United States Grand Prix.
Haas: “Mick’s future will be decided by Mick”
While Haas’ comments are not to be taken exactly as a positive sign, team owner Schumacher doesn’t want to delete them. “Mick’s future will be decided by Mick,” clarifies who is responsible for making a new contract.
While the Haas team will likely be Schumacher’s first choice, he will certainly prefer any cockpit in Formula 1 to the possibility of not being represented at all in the premier class next year. However, besides Haas, there is only one other racing team that will have a seat available next year. (sch)
