Mick Schumacher is unfazed by Carlos Sainz signing a new deal at Ferrari.
On Thursday, a two-year contract extension for the Spaniard was confirmed bringing him in line with teammate Charles Leclerc, who is also signed until the end of 2024.
That means the German will have to wait until 2025 at the earliest to follow in his father’s footsteps and race for the Scuderia.
“I think it was expected in many ways,” Schumacher told Sky Deutschland. “Of course, Carlos did a mega job last year so he deserves it.
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“For me, it doesn’t mean anything different than usual. I do my job here (at Haas), trying my best, and the opportunities will come.”
Ferrari’s decision also backs up recent comments by AlphaTauri chief Franz Tost, who believes the 22-year-old still needs a few more years before a move to the front.
“He has to drive somewhere else for another three years,” he said.
“Formula 1 is extremely complicated today. A driver needs at least three years of learning to drive at the top level. A George Russell or a Charles Leclerc also needed that time.
“He first has to beat his teammate Kevin Magnussen consistently at Haas and try to achieve success with Haas. That’s his job now and nothing else.”
Mick’s confident the team will be in the mix for this weekend’s #ImolaGP
His full preview here ➡️ https://t.co/tGMvS2nat1#HaasF1 pic.twitter.com/ufI0VwyRfn
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) April 20, 2022
Speaking of the Dane, while Schumacher has had a tricky start to the season, Magnussen is in no doubt over Mick’s abilities.
“He’s obviously very talented – he won F3, he won F2 before F1, so I feel like he deserves to be here,” he stated.
“It’s kind of tough because he has this surname. His dad is the biggest Formula 1 driver ever, and some people may think that he is here just because he is a Schumacher – but he really has what it takes to be here.”
K-Mag also praised Mick’s approach and willingness to improve.
“He’s a super nice guy, very down to earth, very polite. He’s good with everyone, everyone likes him,” he continued.
“Immediately, he’s been very open, he’s very keen to learn, he’s asking questions. And you don’t always have that between drivers; sometimes they are too proud or whatever, so they don’t want to work together.
“Maybe some drivers are scared of showing weakness or whatever, but Mick does not really care about that – he just wants to learn.
“I feel like in the debriefings his feedback is good, and he doesn’t make excuses, he’s very honest with the team if there is something that was his mistake, he is open about that.
“He’s not trying to find excuses, so I feel like his attitude is very good.”
