Ralf Schumacher understands Nikita Mazepin’s anger that the Haas team has terminated his contract for the 2022 season.
“Of course, the young man can’t help it at all,” says the Formula 1 expert in an interview with “Sky”. “I’m almost a bit sorry for him, even if I’m not his biggest supporter. But of course you don’t wish that on any driver.”
The American Haas racing team announced the separation of Mazepin and title sponsor Uralkali on Saturday, saying that they were “shocked” and “sad” by the invasion of Russian forces in Ukraine. Mazepin reacted to this in an Instagram posting “very disappointed”, especially since he had declared that he would accept all FIA restrictions for Russian drivers.
Uralkali, Mazepin’s father Dmitri’s chemical company, was the Haas team’s largest sponsor in 2021. Nevertheless, Schumacher sees a “new opportunity in the realignment. I believe that what follows will certainly be positive in terms of driving, will bring Mick further forward and also the team.”
Incidentally, it is not yet clear who will be Mick Schumacher’s teammate. Test driver Pietro Fittipaldi is in the starting blocks for Haas.
However, Gene Haas had recently signaled that ideally he would like a more experienced pilot. Due to the connection to engine manufacturer Ferrari, the name Antonio Giovinazzi was last mentioned as a possibility.
“I can only wish for Mick that he gets someone with whom he can achieve even more together in the team, who above all fits into the team,” says Ralf Schumacher and wishes for his nephew someone “from whom he can still learn could”. In his opinion, that would be Giovinazzi as well as Oscar Piastri, who would bring “a lot of basic speed” with him.
Schumacher: Hulkenberg as a replacement “would surprise me”
On the other hand, Schumacher “cannot imagine that team boss Günther Steiner would reactivate his old contacts with Nico Hulkenberg and bring a second German into the team. I would be surprised.” He bets on a new driver, because: “I can’t imagine that you will necessarily start with Fittipaldi. But well, we’ll see.”
Haas has announced that a decision will be made by Wednesday. It is considered likely in the industry that the Mazepin successor will also have to bring a commercial package. In any case, Schumacher is not worried: “Günther Steiner said that it has no direct influence that the team is wonderfully financed,” the “Sky” expert gave the all-clear.
In his opinion, “the hype” about Formula 1 “after the last successful races”, especially in front of a full house in Austin, Texas, is so big, “that the team has the chance to close the financial gap. If necessary, also about the replacement driver – whoever that will be.”