Time is quickly running out for Mick Schumacher to seal a seat for the 2023 Formula 1 season, with the young German currently without a contract for next year.
The 23-year-old’s deal with the Haas F1 Team expires at the end of the season and the American side are yet to decide whether they will take Schumacher on for a third campaign.
A number of drivers have been linked to Schumacher’s seat, including, McLaren’s outgoing Daniel Ricciardo and Ferrari reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi.
Haas are believed to not be in any rush to make a decision on who will line-up alongside Kevin Magnussen next season, with all the cards currently in the American team’s corner.
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Schumacher’s early season performances are supposedly one of the reasons as to why the team are yet to offer him a contract, despite having performed better since.
The son of Michael Schumacher crashed incredibly heavily at both the Saudi Arabian and Monaco Grand Prix’s, resulting in his VF22 breaking in half, causing a huge financial setback for the team.
Schumacher’s relationship with the team also looks to be a stumbling block, with his relationship with team principal Guenther Steiner having been frosty at times this season.
Steiner has spoken negatively about Schumacher on several occasions this season, something that didn’t go down well with those linked to the German driver.
Schumacher has improved considerably, though, after managing to score points at multiple races.
Magnussen has also fallen somewhat behind the German as well, despite having been the dominant driver in the team at the start of the season.
Schumacher’s talent is undoubtable, with the German being part of a highly exclusive club of drivers to have won both the F2 and F3 World Championships.
Former FIA president Jean Todt who is extremely closed to the Schumacher family, has asked for the “fantastic boy” to be allowed to “enjoy driving”, by being left alone to do his job.
“He is a fantastic boy, he is really someone who has values, principles, he is humble,” Todt told Motorsport.com.
“He has done great things, he was F3 champion, F2 champion. He’s doing well now, after overcoming a difficult start to the season.
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“Formula 1 is about having the best car, the best team, and then the best driver. So at the moment, unfortunately, he hasn’t got the whole package yet.
“But the team has made progress this year, he’s had some very good races, he’s finally been able to score points. So, I think we should leave him alone and let him do his best. And I hope he can enjoy driving a competitive car.”
Schumacher has also been linked with a move to Williams Racing; however, F2 driver Logan Sargeant is looking the more likely candidate for the seat, with Mercedes F1 reserve driver Nyck de Vries also in contention for Nicholas Latifi’s seat.