Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has said he is “happy” with the progress Mick Schumacher has made in his debut season in Formula 1.
The German, who won the 2020 Formula 2 Championship, was signed by Haas for 2021 and he remains affiliated with Ferrari, who helped him land the seat.
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With the American racing outfit having the least competitive car on the grid this year, Schumacher is yet to score a point in the pinnacle of motorsport, but he has comprehensively outpaced his fellow rookie team-mate, Nikita Mazepin.
Commenting on Schumacher’s season thus far, Binotto said the priority is ensuring he is learning and gradually making progress.
“Mick in his very first year in F1 driving for Haas, I think we said at the start of the season that the objective for him was first no pressure, but to make sure that he is learning,” Binotto said.
“So 2021 has to be for him an important year in terms of learning. And I think if we look at that objective he is doing well.
“I think Mick since the start of the season is doing well, he is learning, he is progressing. Obviously a few mistakes, but that’s part of the learning process. Overall in terms of balance so far, we can be happy.
“What’s important for him is to continue developing and progressing in the second half. But I’m confident he can do that,” he added.
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Binotto made it clear in December that their ultimate goal is for Schumacher to race with Ferrari in Formula 1, and he speculated this could happen as soon as 2023.
“The Ferrari Driver Academy was not created to raise Formula 1 drivers, but the next driver for Ferrari,” the Italian said.
“Today it is too early to decide but there are the premises to see Mick in red in 2023.”
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