Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher believes that Haas driver Nikita Mazepin should not be in the sport, and that his team-mate, Mick Schumacher, needs more support.
Mazepin and Schumacher both contested their rookie season this year, and the Russian was out-raced 16-6 and out-qualified 20-2 by the German in 2021.
Mazepin was involved in several spins and crashes, becoming a meme in the early part of the season. The Russian has also been heavily criticised for his pace, particularly in the wet conditions.
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After two race wins and a fifth-placed Formula 2 finish in 2020, Ralf Schumacher concedes that Mazepin had a positive junior career, but has gone backwards in F1 this year.
“Mazepin was certainly a good driver in Formula 2. But this year, he has developed in the wrong direction and should actually be doing something different. He doesn’t necessarily have to drive Formula 1,” said Schumacher.
Ralf, the uncle of Mick, affirms that his nephew needs a better team mate to push him and better develop the car.
“[He needs someone] who can help him, someone who can work with him to move the team forward, so that Mick is not alone in a lost cause.”
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Asked whether Haas have the potential to move up the grid and even reach the points in 2022, Schumacher stated that the 2020 F2 champion has a role to play in this.
“It depends on what Haas makes available to him,” he explains. “Then it’s up to him to implement it.”
Haas failed to score points in the 2021 season, with Schumacher achieving a highest finish of 12th at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
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