John N
After Haas announced that they will replace him with Nico Hulkenberg for the 2023 season, outgoing driver Mick Schumacher has tried to keep his hopes up for a return. This season is set to be Schumacher’s second and final one with Haas in F1 as the team has opted to replace him with compatriot Hulkenberg for 2023 – as they announced on Thursday in Abu Dhabi.
Schumacher will leave the motorsport at the end of the season, but, like outgoing McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo, the German said he was aiming to make a swift return. “Yeah, obviously, it’s disappointing in some ways because I feel I’ve been doing an excellent job up to this point.
On the other hand, the team decided to go that way, so I have to respect that. I’m focused on the future now,” said Schumacher at Yas Marina Circuit.
Disappointed but determined 👊
Mick Schumacher on his Haas departure #AbuDhabiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/cqffOHSUsY
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 17, 2022
“I definitely want to stick around, and I have time now, so I will see all the options that I have, and then yes, hopefully, take the right one that will bring me into a bright future.”
The Formula 2 champion told reporters that he’s open to a reserve driver role in 2023—but he hopes that whatever path he pursues will help him return to F1.
“I want to put myself into a position where I know it’s going to be right for me, and whether that’s driving or something else, we’ll discuss that,” Schumacher explained. “I have people I trust and consult with around me, so hopefully, I will have some news soon.”
He added that his first season with Haas didn’t count because the team was at the back of the pack most of the year (he and Haas finished 2019 without a point).
“We’ve had our ups and downs, for sure, but the trend was always pointing upwards, and I think that’s what’s important,” he said. “It’s only my second year in F1; last year doesn’t count because it was a tough one.”
“It was something I had to get used to, being in the midfield pack, fighting, and I feel that across the year we’ve managed to do that, and I feel like I’ve extracted the maximum out of each situation, let’s say. I feel like the trend was there,” added Schumacher.
In Abu Dhabi, the 23-year-old said he wanted to score points and help his squad hold off AlphaTauri, who are just two points behind, for eighth in the constructors’ standings.
“[I want to] finish on a high. I mean, as high as we can, I guess,” he said. “We have a car which is probably just close to P10, maybe a bit below, but if we get everything right, then I’m sure there’s potential to be in the points, and I think that’s still what we’re aiming for – to score as many points – because we’re in a tight battle….”
