Ex-Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has questioned why his nephew Mick Schumacher is the only Haas driver under fire, given that Kevin Magnussen has also struggled as of late, excluding his points finish at the United States Grand Prix.
Whilst Magnussen is under contract until the end of 2023 at the Americans, Schumacher’s contract expires at the end of the current year and isn’t expected to be renewed.
Multiple reports suggest that ‘veteran’ Nico Hulkenberg will be announced as Magnussen’s team-mate prior to next weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, marking what would be a return to full-time F1.
Hulkenberg hasn’t had a full-time seat since driving for Renault in 2019 and has spent the past few years as Racing Point’s and then Aston Martin’s reserve and test driver.
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He has been dubbed as Mr Consistent, given how often he finished in the points during his time at Force India, Sauber, and Renault.
With his inclusion into the team looking likely, it appears that Haas have gone for an experienced line-up for 2023, rather than taking a chance on the youth that Schumacher possesses.
Schumacher has come under a barrage of criticism as of late from Haas owner Gene Haas, who appears to be ready to drop the German.
Despite this, Schumacher’s uncle thinks he should be kept by the side, who should, according to him, replace Magnussen with Hulkenberg.
“Anything is possible, of course, especially if we look at the last few races,” said Schumacher on Sky Germany.
“Who knows, Magnussen may not be so firmly in the seat anymore.
“If we look at the races since Silverstone, we have to conclude that Mick is the more stable and better of the two drivers – and who has also had some bad luck with wrong strategies.
“In the last race [Mexico], Mick was sometimes up to six-tenths faster than Magnussen – so let’s wait and see for the next few races. I hope Haas make a decision soon.
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“Maybe, next year we will have two Germans on the Formula 1 grid.”
Had it not been for things outside of his control, Schumacher would’ve achieved a points finish fairly recently, with the German having been on-track for a points finish in Singapore before being hit by George Russell.
Luck certainly hasn’t been on the German’s side, who hasn’t finished in the points since the Austrian Grand Prix.