Mick Schumacher’s time as a Haas driver is done, as is his Formula 1 career, at least for now.
The German endured a mixed season finale at Abu Dhabi, after managing to qualify above team-mate Kevin Magnussen at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Schumacher made it to Q2 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, unlike his Danish team-mate, but couldn’t progress any further.
Sunday proved more challenging for the 23-year-old, who ended up finishing 16th in his final race for the Americans.
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16th, though, was still higher than Magnussen, who ended the final race of the season in 17th.
Schumacher would’ve arguably finished a couple places higher, perhaps, had he not been awarded a five-second time penalty, for hitting Nicholas Latifi.
The bizarre incident occurred towards the end of the race at Turn Five, where the Canadian entered the corner incredibly slower than usual.
Schumacher misjudged the Williams driver’s speed and gently nudged the back of his FW44; however, it was enough to spin both the Canadian and himself.
He recovered from the incident, though, to finish his last race for Haas, where like many drivers he decided to do some donuts on the cooldown lap.
Schumacher completed some brilliant donuts at Turn 12, before being told to stop doing them by his team, who scolded the son of Michael Schumacher, who replied understandably bluntly.
“I’m sorry Mick can you stop doing donuts please, seriously. I’m sorry Mick but we just can’t I’m sorry,” said the German’s race engineer.
“It’s alright. Love you too,” Schumacher replied.
It appears that his Haas departure might actually be a good thing, based on how unfairly Schumacher has been treated by the side.
He’s been constantly criticised this season by Haas boss Guenther Steiner and, crucially, Haas owner Gene Haas, with many going on to question how the American team have treated the 2020 F2 World Champion.
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Schumacher is, of course, being replaced by the incredibly experienced Nico Hulkenberg, who’s returning to full-time F1 racing for the first-time since 2019.
The question now is what will Schumacher do next season, something that is yet to be answered.
According to reports, a move to Mercedes is the likely outcome, with Toto Wolff supposedly interested in making the German a reserve driver for the Silver Arrows.