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SCARPERIA, ITALY: Mick Schumacher of Germany prepares to drive the Ferrari F2004 of his father Michael Schumacher before the F1 Grand Prix of Tuscany at Mugello Circuit in Scarperia, Italy. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
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SCARPERIA, ITALY: Mick Schumacher of Germany prepares to drive the Ferrari F2004 of his father Michael Schumacher before the F1 Grand Prix of Tuscany at Mugello Circuit in Scarperia, Italy. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner has revealed that Nikita Mazepin has signed a contract with the team for the 2022 season. This means that the Russian will continue to drive the Haas for another year at least. Unfortunately, Steiner revealed that the situation with Mazepin’s teammate, Mick Schumacher, is a little different.
Schumacher is part of the Ferrari Driver Academy. So, any further discussions regarding his future involve the Italian team as well, which, according to Steiner, makes contract signings all the more difficult.
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Schumi’s Ferrari association makes it a three-way contract: Steiner
As reported by Grandpx.news, the Haas Team Principal stated that he hopes Schumacher stays with the team for next season. But his association with Ferrari is a factor in the contract talks.
“It’s a three-party contract because he also has one at Ferrari. So there are still a few things that have to be sorted out,” said Steiner.
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Formula One F1 – Formula One – Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan – June 3, 2021, Haas’ Mick Schumacher ahead of the Grand Prix REUTERS/Anton Vaganov
“A few T’s have to be crossed and a few i’s dotted and then we’re there.
“Mick can’t say it has been signed yet, but there is an agreement. However, since there are three parties, it is more complicated than if it was just a contract between the two of us,” Steiner insisted.
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The Reds keeping a close eye on Mick Schumacher’s progress at Haas F1
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto had earlier stated that Ferrari will monitor Schumacher’s progress in his rookie season. The Italian hopes that Mick, son of Michael Schumacher, can emulate his father and drive for Ferrari in the future.
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BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – APRIL 02: Mick Schumacher of Germany and Scuderia Ferrari SF90 walks out of the garage during F1 testing in Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
“The Ferrari Driver Academy was not created to raise Formula 1 drivers, but the next driver for Ferrari. Today it is too early to decide but there are the premises to see Mick in red in 2023,” said Binotto.
Mick will look to put in strong performances in Haas to attract the attention of Ferrari and join the team soon. But that might be a goal a few years down the line. For now, the question remains – will Schumacher sign for Haas for the 2022 season?
