Schumacher started the race in 12th – after making up an impressive eight places in the Sprint – and continued to make progress in the early stages on Sunday, as he took advantage of incidents ahead to get into the top-10. (Read More Here).
The German racer then made the switch to the soft tyre for both his second and third stint as he looked to finish in the points. However, after the Safety Car restart – caused by Lando Norris stopping on track – Schumacher lost places to Lance Stroll and Pierre Gasly before coming home in 13th.
Speaking after the race, Schumacher said: “Just the medium tyre didn’t really seem to work for us today. We struggled a lot with the rears. Once we went on to the softs, I felt a lot more comfortable, I felt a lot more competitive as well. (Read More Here).
“Just seems we extended that first stint maybe a bit too much but these things as well, because you don’t know how long the softs will last, but it was all right.”
It was Schumacher’s ninth race in a row without a top-10 finish, having only scored points on two occasions this season – at Silverstone and in Austria – leaving the German to admit it just has not gone his way this year.
“I think it’s been like that all year really,” said Schumacher when asked whether his weekend was frustrating. “Sometimes it’s your year, sometimes not. I guess this year wasn’t really my year. But still have one more to go and we’ll give our best there.”
Schumacher’s plans for 2023 are yet to be formalised after Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner revealed that the team would announce Kevin Magnussen's team mate for next season this week – with Schumacher widely understood to be competing against compatriot Nico Hulkenberg for the seat.
Haas now head to Abu Dhabi eighth in the constructors’ standings, having increased their lead over AlphaTauri to two points in the championship, after Magnussen scored a solitary point in Saturday’s Sprint.
The German joined Haas for 2021 to race alongside Nikita Mazepin, Schumacher having won the F2 championship the previous year.
This year, alongside Kevin Magnussen, Schumacher scored his first points at Silverstone with eighth, following that up with sixth at the following race in Austria.The German joined Haas for 2021 to race alongside Nikita Mazepin, Schumacher having won the F2 championship the previous year.
This year, alongside Kevin Magnussen, Schumacher scored his first points at Silverstone with eighth, following that up with sixth at the following race in Austria.
However, he has failed to score since then, and has contributed less than a third of Haas’s total points tally – with the American squad eighth in the constructors’ championship. He has also had several crashes which have proved to be costly.
As a result, Haas have opted not to keep the German for a third season. “I would like to thank Mick Schumacher for his contribution to the team over the past couple of years,” said Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner.
“Mick’s pedigree in the junior categories was well known and he has continued to grow and develop as a driver in his time with Haas F1 Team – culminating in his first Formula 1 points-scoring successes earlier this season.
“While choosing to go in separate directions for the future, the entire team wishes Mick well for the next steps in his career path and beyond.”
Williams have the only remaining seat on the grid for 2023, but that will go to their academy driver Logan Sargeant providing he finishes in the top six in the standings in F2. The American is currently third and in good shape to meet the criteria.
The conclusion to that championship takes place on Sunday in Abu Dhabi, ahead of F1’s final Grand Prix of the season.
Haas are expected to announce Schumacher’s replacement shortly. It is widely expected to be former Force India and Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg.
In a statement on social media, meanwhile, Schumacher admitted his disappointment that his time with Haas was coming to an end, while adding that he was confident that his talent merited a seat on the F1 grid.
“This is going to be my last race with Haas F1 Team. I don't want to hide the fact that I am very disappointed about the decision not to renew our contract,” he wrote. “Nevertheless, I would like to thank both Haas F1 and Ferrari for giving me this opportunity. Those years together have helped me to mature both technically and personally. And especially when things got difficult, I realised how much I love this sport.
“It was at times bumpy but I steadily improved, learned a lot and now know for sure that I deserve a place in Formula 1. The subject is anything but closed for me. Setbacks only make you stronger.
“My fire burns for Formula 1 and I will fight hard to return to the starting grid.”
No comments:
Post a Comment