adminHaas could use a special press conference to announce a new sponsor and state that they are in no hurry to confirm who their second driver will be for next year.
Mick Schumacher could be made to wait to discover his future with F1 team Haas despite the constructor calling a press conference ahead of next weekend’s United States Grand Prix.
Schumacher’s contract is set to expire at the end of this season giving Haas the option to renew or replace him with an alternative driver. According to Auto Motor reporter Tobi Gruner, Haas won’t be using the press conference to announce Schumacher’s future.
Instead it is thought the American constructor could be announcing a new sponsorship deal at their home Grand Prix with Schumacher left to wait to discover his fate.
At the Singapore Grand Prix team principal Guenther Steiner said they were in no rush to make a decision. “We’re not in a hurry,” he said. “And there’s not a lot of things moving. So why should I be in a hurry?”
Haas and Williams are the only teams yet to confirm their drivers for the 2023 season and Schumacher could opt to join Williams if he doesn’t stay with his current team. After a poor start to the season including crashes at the Saudi Arabia GP and Monaco the Germany has since improved his form and chances of a contract next season.
The 23-year-old has also now out-qualified team mate Kevin Magnussen three times in the past five races, although only has 12 points compared to his partner’s 22. Steiner has also given Schumacher hope by suggesting Haas would rather retain their current drivers than look elsewhere.
He said: “If you are working with somebody for two years, that’s an advantage. The incumbent has always got the advantage, it’s a home advantage. If you can have somebody you work with for two years, it’s better than bringing somebody new in, because as I always said you don’t have the learning time.
Schumacher could be given a chance to progress in the Haas seat after Steiner said the team were ‘done with rookies’ narrowing their options for his replacement. The German has improved in his second F1 season after picking up zero points on his season debut but 12 this campaign including a career best sixth place finish at the Austrian GP.
“I would say I’m done in the moment with rookies for the foreseeable future,” added Steiner.– DailyMirror.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter