Haas’ Mick Schumacher does not believe that the lack of any upgrades on their car this weekend will be a hindrance to them, as there is a lot of performance in the original setup left for them to find.
The returning Kevin Magnussen has scored points in three of the opening five rounds of the 2022 season in an almighty upturn in form from the team’s horrible 2021 campaign, but a combination of mistakes and misfortune mean that the German’s wait for his first career points now sits at 27 race entries.
In an escape from Formula 1, he joined Magnussen and team principal Guenther Steiner at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, where they teamed up with the Stewart Haas NASCAR team of Cole Custer, Riley Herbst and Chase Briscoe, and he was given quite the thrill both as a passenger and a driver.
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“[It was] quite different actually,” he said on Friday.
“It was the first time I was a passenger. It felt quite scary going through the banking… I was thinking we were going to slip down but we were fine.
“I got to drive myself. I was impressed by how much grip you have on the oval itself, but car just doesn’t stop.
“It feels like there are no brakes, you push as hard as you want but the car doesn’t stop.
“We had a good time, good to do something different, good to feel something different so very much thankful for that.”
Schumacher looked set for points in Miami before he collided with Sebastian Vettel in an incident that the four-time champion called “stupid,” and Schumacher reveals that there was a mutual acceptance that both parties could have done more to avoid it.
“I think everything got a bit heated,” he explained.
“With Sebastian, we spoke about it afterwards and I think we concluded that we all could have done something different, something better.
“I think we were all in the points at that time, so hopefully to a better race this weekend.”
The Haas team have not been given any upgrades this weekend, whereas many of their midfield competitors have, but the 23-year-old does not believe it will adversely affect them.
“I don’t think so,” he replied.
“The car has so much potential still to be exploited so I think we will keep focusing on that.
“Some teams did bring upgrades but you never know if they work or not so that’s also a factor.
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“I think that we’re okay, and I’m just excited to get out there.”
Haas are currently seven in the Constructors’ Championship, 31 points adrift of leading midfield runners McLaren.