Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has reacted to Mick Schumacher’s move to Mercedes for 2023, with the German driver having been axed by the Americans following the conclusion of the 2022 season.
Steiner opted to go for experience over youth for the upcoming season, with Schumacher having made too many mistakes during his sophomore year.
With that in mind, the 23-year-old was dropped in favour of 35-year-old Nico Hulkenberg, who’s Formula 1 debut came with Williams back in 2010.
Whilst Schumacher hasn’t been able to find a racing seat for this season, he’s found the next best thing.
READ: David Coulthard disagrees with Max Verstappen criticism
The son of Michael Schumacher is following in his father’s footsteps by joining Mercedes, as their reserve driver.
He’s replacing Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne, who both departed the Germans at the end of last year.
Steiner believes his former driver is in a “good position” with Mercedes and has the “best chance” now of returning to full-time racing in the future.
“I think he is in a good position with Mercedes. Mercedes has many sibling teams,” Steiner told RTL, as per Speedweek.
“[De Vries] jumped in at Williams and got a regular cockpit at AlphaTauri through this route.
“[Schumacher is] in a good position. I hope for no driver’s sake that he can’t drive. But if there is a possibility, Mick can sit in and drive.
“Sometimes one step back is two steps forward. He’s put himself in a good position with a team where he has the best chance for a regular cockpit in the future.”
Steiner was heavily criticised in 2022 for the way he treated and spoke to Schumacher, with many having then called the Italian out for having announced Schumacher’s departure so late in the year.
By the time the team’s line-up for 2023 was confirmed, all the other seats had been taken, leaving Schumacher no other option than to sit-out the upcoming season.
READ: Ferrari reach FIA agreement after Red Bull dispute
Despite everything that went on, though, Steiner doesn’t have any hard feelings towards Schumacher and is certain they will “still talk to each other”.
“That just happens in life. You break up often and that’s why it doesn’t mean that you break up in a fight,” Steiner said.
“In the end, we both played with open cards and that’s why I believe we still talk to each other and greet each other.”