Mick Schumacher has reiterated his commitment to the Haas team despite him potentially making a Ferrari appearance in 2022.
Schumacher’s father, Michael, won five of his seven Formula 1 world titles with the Scuderia between 2000 and 2004, and continues to hold the record for the most consecutive championship victories.
Mick made his F1 debut last season with a struggling Haas team that went scoreless throughout the year, achieving a best finish of P13 at the Hungarian Grand Prix through the German.
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He has now been signed as Ferrari’s test and reserve driver for this year alongside former Alfa Romeo driver Antonio Giovinazzi, and Haas team principal Guenther Steiner recently revealed that he would be more than happy to allow the 22-year-old to move up to the Italian squad were either Carlos Sainz or Charles Leclerc to miss a race.
While Schumacher is enamoured by the prospect of stepping foot in a Ferrari for a world championship grand prix, he maintains that he has a job to do with the American outfit.
“It would be nice to sit in a Ferrari one day, but my main focus is clearly on Haas,” he said in an interview with Sky Sports Germany.
“Nevertheless, if they need support, of course I’m there.”
The 2020 Formula 2 champion is aiming to build on what was a dire season for the Banbury-based squad in 2021, and is looking forward to helping the team develop back towards their fourth-placed Constructors’ Championship form of 2018.
“My goal is to be as far ahead as possible with Haas,” he affirmed.
“What happens in the future remains to be seen. Hopefully I can show myself well at Haas, then it will go in the right direction.”
2022 sees sweeping alterations to the technical regulations in F1, as a ground effect-based aerodynamic concept makes a return to the sport.
There has also been an increase in tyre size from 13 to 18 inches, and the engines are expected to be marginally less powerful.
Though the cars will now be very different, Schumacher is optimistic that he can use experience obtained from last year’s Haas and translate it to this season’s machine.
“I know how the car has developed compared to last year,” he added.
“So from my experience last year, I know how to approach corners to get through quickly. I can prepare myself mentally for that.
“The car will be stiffer, it will be more jerky for us drivers to drive. This will change the driving style a lot. You have to get used to that again.”
Generally, the teams lower in the Constructors’ Standings last season began development earlier than the teams at the front – namely Mercedes and Red Bull – and the 22-year-old hopes that Haas can use this to their advantage.
READ: Schumacher: Debut season in Formula 1 was ‘easier than expected’
“All the teams are set a bit to zero by the new rules,” he explained.
“Hopefully we’ll have a bit of a head start because we started earlier with the changeover and preparation.”
The Switzerland-born racer has been retained for 2022 alongside Russian team-mate Nikita Mazepin, and Haas are yet to announce a release date for their new car.
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