Haas driver, Mick Schumacher, made a big physical impact with the wall during Friday practice in Japan, but he does not believe he has impacted his place within the team.
At the end of a wet free practice session on Friday, Schumacher was sent out to perform a practice start just before the pit exit, and then make his way back round.
The flag had fallen on FP1, so all that was left for the German to do was drive his car back to the pits, but he lost control at Dunlop.
That sent him spinning into the barrier, causing extensive damage, and ruling him out of the second session.
READ: Mick Schumacher hits out at George Russell for ‘killing’ his race
The Haas team needed to change the chassis on the car, denying the 23-year-old valuable running time ahead of what could be a rain-affected race.
Schumacher somewhat made amends on Saturday when he out-qualified team-mate, Kevin Magnussen, for the fifth time this season, and he will start the race 15th ahead of the 18th-placed Dane.
Speaking on the crash, the 2020 Formula 2 champion likened it to “aquaplaning on the normal autobahn.”
“You’re actually just a passenger, although I didn’t place the car quite where it should have been. Things like that happen,” he added.
Schumacher is, if reports are to be believed, locked in a battle with Nico Hulkenberg for the 2023 seat alongside Magnussen.
The young racer’s advantage is that he is the one driving the car right now, so his future in his hands and dependent on his performances.
Generally, in the last nine races, Schumacher has been on the pace of Magnussen, and has scored points twice in that time.
The improvements since the early going of the season, during which the Switzerland-born driver suffered two big accidents, have been plain for all to see, so he does not agree that one crash changes that.
“I would be surprised if that was the case, I mean the performance is there,” added Schumacher.
READ: Helmut Marko says Pierre Gasly’s future will be decided at Japanese GP
“It’s a moment, but I’ve been showing good performances lately and that should count for more.”
Haas have fallen to eighth in the Constructors’ Standings as a result of Aston Martin’s recent upturn in form.