Formula 1 | Haas cuts ties with Mick Schumacher to replace Nico Hulkenberg
Michael’s son Mick Schumacher will not return to Haas, the American Formula 1 team announced, adding hours later that another German driver, Nico Hulkenberg, would replace him.
With four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel already announcing his retirement at the end of the campaign and Schumacher having just been dropped from the Haas team, motorsport’s queen series could find itself without a representative German next season. However, Haas chose Hulkenberg, a veteran with 181 Formula 1 careers.
Hülkenberg was last a full-time driver for Renault in 2019, and has been selected as reserve driver for two races in 2020 and two more this season. He joined forces with Vettel, who missed the first two races of the campaign with Aston Martin after testing positive for COVID-19. Hulkenberg finished 12the in Saudi Arabia.
Although the 35-year-old German won a top position in his rookie season in 2010, he has never won a podium in his F1 career.
“I’m very happy to be at the wheel permanently at Haas in 2023,” Hulkenberg said in a press release sent by the team. I feel like I’ve never been out of F1. I’m happy to have the opportunity to do what I love most in the world again, and I want to thank Gene Haas and (team manager) Günter Steiner for their trust. »
Steiner announced Schumacher’s departure a few hours ago.
In his statement, he said, “I would like to thank Mick Schumacher for his contribution to the team over the last two years.
Minutes after the announcement, Schumacher wrote on Twitter that he was disappointed by the decision but hoped to return to Formula 1.
The announcement of the still-uncertain final Formula 1 driver for the 2023 season came as no surprise, as Gene Haas told The Associated Press in October that Schumacher was willing to score points in the final four races to keep his job.
“Mick’s future will be decided by Mick. If he wants to stay with us, he needs to show that he can get a few more points. That’s what we’re waiting for, Haas said. I think Mick has a lot of potential, but he costs a fortune and has broken a few cars that cost a lot of money that we don’t have. »
The 23-year-old German Haas has not scored a single point in three races since his public appearance, and his best result is 13 points.e position, achieved last week in Brazil. His 12 points make him 16the Rank of 20 permanent drivers in Formula 1.
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Red bull
A contract was signed with Dutchman Max Verstappen (25) until the end of 2028, and with Mexican Sergio Perez (32) until the end of 2024.
Ferrari
Monegasque Charles Leclerc (25) and Spaniard Carlos Sainz (28) have signed a contract until the end of 2024.
mercedes
British Lewis Hamilton (37) has a contract until the end of 2023. His compatriot George Russell (24) has signed a “long-term contract” from 2022.
Alpine (Renault engine)
Frenchman Esteban Oko (26) has a contract until 2024. His compatriot Pierre Gasly (26) will join him in 2023 on a “multi-year” deal. He will replace Spaniard Fernando Alonso, who left for Aston Martin.
McLaren (Mercedes engine)
British Lando Norris (23) has signed a contract until 2025. Australian Oscar Piastri (21) has signed a contract until 2024 and will replace his 33-year-old compatriot Daniel Ricciardo.
Alfa Romeo (Ferrari engine)
Finn Valtteri Bottas (33) has a “multi-year” contract. Zhou Guanyu (23), the first Chinese in Formula 1, has extended his contract for a year and has a contract with him until the end of 2023.
Haas (Ferrari engine)
Dane Kevin Magnussen (30) has signed a contract for “several years” from 2022. German Nico Hulkenberg (35) will join him from next season on an unspecified contract, replacing Michael’s son Mick Schumacher (23).
Alpha Tauri (Red Bull engine)
Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda (22) has been extended until the end of 2023. The 27-year-old Dutchman Nyck de Vries, who is the Formula E world champion in 2021, will replace Pierre Gasly in 2023.
Aston Martin (Mercedes engine)
Spaniard Fernando Alonso (41) has signed a multi-year contract and will replace German Sebastian Vettel (35), who will retire at the end of 2022. He will team up with Canadian Lance Stroll (24), son of the owner. Lawrence Stroll has signed a contract until 2023.
Williams (Mercedes engine)
French Media Agency
Thai Alexander Albo (26) has a contract until 2023. His Canadian teammate Nicolas Latifi (27) has not had his contract extended for next season and will be replaced by 21-year-old American reserve Logan Sargent. Williams has entered Formula 2 in 2022 – provided it obtains the Super License it needs to compete in F1.
