Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has not always agreed with the way Haas team boss Günther Steiner has treated his nephew Mick in recent months. Now he has defended the South Tyrolean against criticism.
When it comes to his nephew Mick, Ralf Schumacher and Günther Steiner rarely agreed. On the one hand, the Haas team boss still lets the son of Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher fidget and does not want to commit himself to contract poker. On the other hand, Steiner had repeatedly criticized Mick Schumacher in the course of the season and thus increased the pressure on the youngster.
On the fringes of the training session on Friday in the USA, Ralf Schumacher expressed his incomprehension about how Günther Steiner appeared in public on the “Sky” microphone. “Maybe he should listen to his own interviews,” said the 47-year-old after Steiner once again criticized his drivers’ lack of consistency.
This was preceded by an accident by reserve pilot Antonio Giovinazzi in the first practice session, but Mick Schumacher also produced quite a few body damage in 2022 and was then snubbed by the bosses.
If Ralf Schumacher has his way, “the current Haas drivers” are doing a “good job, and I think Haas would do well to stick to both and – if you are so critical of the drivers – maybe even a little self-criticism practice”. Because: The team wasn’t always right when it came to the chosen race strategy.
Ralf Schumacher condemns hate comments against Günther Steiner
A few days later, Ralf Schumacher leaves in his “sky“-Column are now sounding conciliatory tones. He praised the fact that Steiner rated Mick Schumacher’s race in the USA “properly”: “He protected Mick, which I think is great.”
Ralf Schumacher even defended the Haas team boss: “What I also have to say is that Günther Steiner has become a lot more forgiving lately in many ways – including in Austin. There have been a lot of insults against the Haas team this season and also against Günther Steiner personally on social media, I think that’s a shame and doesn’t make sense.”
Neither Steiner nor team owner Gene Haas “deserved to hear such hateful comments,” explained the six-time race winner. “One thing is clear: we all want Mick to drive in Formula 1 next year, he’s also showing his performance and it’s nice that they’re getting along better at Haas.”
Schumacher: Ricciardo and Hulkenberg are not options
Nevertheless, he sees the 23-year-old Mick as the only option for the cockpit occupation in the next season. “Mick has done everything he has to do to drive for Haas in Formula 1 in 2023.”
Daniel Ricciardo is not an option for the racing team “and Nico Hülkenberg is more on the way towards retirement than tearing down trees again”.
With Mick Schumacher, on the other hand, “a lot of potential” can be seen. Another option would be for him to initially work as a reserve pilot in order to attack again in 2024: “But of course it’s better and more important for his development if he were to sit in a Formula 1 cockpit all the time,” said Ralf Schumacher.