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Michael Schumacher’s son Mick has been confirmed to be WITHOUT a ride next season as he is replaced by Nico Hulkenberg at US-owned Haas – with a contract expiring after this weekend’s final in Abu Dhabi
Mick Schumacher, son of Ferrari great and seven-time world champion Michael, will be without a full-time Formula 1 drive next season after the American Haas team announced his departure on Thursday.
The 23-year-old German has been replaced by older compatriot Nico Hulkenberg alongside Danish driver Kevin Magnussen.
Schumacher, who has been linked with a move to Mercedes, made his debut with Haas last season after winning the Formula 2 title in 2020, but his contract expired after this weekend’s final race at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi.
Mick Schumacher (L) has been replaced by Nico Hulkenberg (R) for the coming season at the Haas team.
A member of Ferrari’s young driver academy, Schumacher was involved in costly crashes early in the season, but also scored his first F1 points this year with a best finish of sixth.
He is 16th overall with 12 points.
Haas team principal Guenther Steiner thanked Schumacher and wished him well.
“Mick’s pedigree in the junior categories was well known and he has continued to grow and develop as a driver during his time with the Haas F1 team,” Steiner said in a statement.
Mick’s father Michael ended his legendary Formula 1 career with the team in 2012
“While the entire team chooses to move in different directions for the future, the entire team wishes Mick the best for the next steps in his career and beyond.”
Ferrari-powered Haas is eighth out of 10 teams in the overall standings.
“I am of course delighted to welcome Nico Hulkenberg back to a full-time racing role in Formula 1,” Steiner added on Thursday.
“The experience and knowledge Nico brings to the team is evident – with nearly 200 career starts in Formula 1 – and a reputation as a great qualifier and a solid, reliable racer. These are traits that when you combine them with Kevin Magnussen’s experience gives us a very credible and seasoned driver line-up that we believe will help the team move up the grid.
Schumacher is out of contract after this weekend’s final race at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi
That is clearly the goal and it was that ambition that drove Nico’s return to Formula 1 – he shares our vision and, together with the rest of the team, can be a key player in building on the foundations we have built this year. with our return.” to the points battle.’
Hulkenberg, a 181-race veteran, has been without a full-time drive since the 2019 season – although he has filled in for Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel in the past three seasons when they all tested positive for Covid-19.
“I am delighted to be able to get a full-time racing seat with the Haas F1 Team in 2023. I feel like I never really left Formula 1,” said Hülkenberg.
“I am delighted to once again have the opportunity to do what I love to do and I would like to thank Gene Haas and Gunther Steiner for their trust. We have work to do to compete with all the other midfield teams and I can’t wait to get back into that fight.”