Schumacher wants 'strong teammate' for nephew Mick

Schumacher wants 'strong teammate' for nephew Mick
9 March 2022 by    2 min read
 14

Mar.9 - Ralf Schumacher thinks it's unlikely one popular former Formula 1 racer will be called up to replace axed Haas driver Nikita Mazepin in 2022.

Reports have suggested Schumacher's fellow German Nico Hulkenberg, who is currently Aston Martin's reserve, might return to the grid - especially as Gene Haas says the team is looking for a driver with "experience".

"We just have to see what's available," said the American.

Schumacher, though - the uncle of confirmed 2022 Haas driver Mick - plays down 34-year-old Hulkenberg's chances.

"Haas says they have several candidates, but it seems to me that some of them are not entirely relevant. For example, I can't imagine Gunther Steiner picking up his old contacts with Niko Hulkenberg and bringing a second German into the team," he said.

Haas reserve Pietro Fittipaldi will replace Russian Mazepin in the Bahrain test, but the 25-year-old Brazilian's chances of securing the race seat is "unlikely" according to Schumacher.

"I can only wish that Mick gets a strong teammate this year with whom he will take the next step in his career. Hopefully it's someone he can learn a lot with.

"It would be great if it was Oscar Piastri," Ralf added.

Formula 2 driver Louis Deletraz has denied he is in talks with Haas, while Kevin Magnussen is said to be firmly under contract to Peugeot's Le Mans team.

A top candidate for the seat is Ferrari-linked Formula E driver Antonio Giovinazzi, whose has the most recent experience of F1.

Schumacher, meanwhile, admits he feels sorry for Mazepin.

"He's not to blame at all and I even feel sorry for him, although I am not his biggest supporter," he said. "But you wouldn't wish anything like this on any driver."

Russian Nikolai Vetrov, best known for being Sergey Sirotkin's manager, is scathing of Haas' decision.

"No one wanted to join this team. Then they (Mazepin and Uralkali) went there for some reason, Haas took the money and now they throw them away," he told Match TV.

Finally, it appears that Haas will be ready for the start of Bahrain testing after all, following a flight delay from the UK to the Arab Kingdom.

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14 F1 Fan comments on “Schumacher wants 'strong teammate' for nephew Mick”

  1. Jere Jyrälä

    People should stop pondering Hulkenberg & Piastri in this context.
    I reckon Gio would be a strong enough teammate.

    1
  3. ReallyOldRacer

    I just read that MAG is back. Interesting decision. Not exciting but he is at least competent and will give MSC a reasonable benchmark and provide good car feedback.

    2
  5. shroppyfly

    Haas need not worry about being sued by the Ruskie anymore

    Ex-Haas driver Nikita Mazepin and his father Dmitry have been added to a list of Russians sanctioned over the invasion of Ukraine.

    On Wednesday the European Union declared chemicals billionaire Dmitry Mazepin "a member of the closest circle of [President] Vladimir Putin".

    An EU document accused Mazepin Sr of "supporting or implementing actions which undermine or threaten" Ukraine.

    His business was providing "substantial revenue" to the Russian government.

    • shroppyfly

      Living the dream Nikita, living the dream and ref your statement about F1 not being over...... erm Id say its now definitely over lol

      1
    • ReallyOldRacer

      With Russia being denied SWIFT acces it would probably be, by international law, illegal for Haas to pay Uralkali anyway. Frankly, I'm more interested in the new car livery.

      • Donalf

        I dont want to boast about it but I did mention Kevin Magnuson return to hass and I think it makes sense, K. Ms is a good driver and experienced I reckon he'll return and because all teams are running new cars he will put more into it, can't wait. Go get umm Kev.


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