Steiner is weighing his options for next season on whether to keep Schumacher in the squad alongside Kevin Magnussen or replace the German.
Earlier in 2022, doubts arose over Schumacher’s future with the team – and in F1 in general – due to several accidents and a lack of results, but after the summer break the player from 23 years old managed to stabilize the ship.
While Haas has generally struggled for competitiveness, Schumacher has outqualified Magnussen three times in the past five races and appears to have held on for 2023.
When asked if Schumacher’s history and experience with the team could be an additional argument in favor of the German, Steiner admitted that ‘the starter has a home advantage’.
“Absolutely, if you work with someone for two years, it’s an advantage. The starter always has the advantage, it’s a home advantage,” Steiner said in Japan.
“If you can work with someone for two years, that’s better than bringing in someone new, because like I’ve always said, you don’t have time to learn.
“That’s why we also brought Kevin back, because he was here. He was out for a year, but he knew everyone, and that’s always an advantage when you start from somewhere.”
Mick Schumacher, Haas VF-22, Kevin Magnussen, Haas VF-22, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR22, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL36
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
After a disastrous Monaco Grand Prix in May, in which Schumacher suffered the latest of several crashes, he came under fire as the team’s bills for crash damage piled up, with Steiner saying: ” It’s just not possible to go on like this.”
If Haas decides not to continue with Schumacher for a third season, the very experienced Nico Hulkenberg is still considered a candidate for a return to F1.
Antonio Giovinazzi, who will have a second FP1 with the team at the upcoming United States Grand Prix as part of his deal with Ferrari, is also believed to be on the list.
Meanwhile Pietro Fittipaldi, who replaced the injured Romain Grosjean in the final two races of 2020, has been confirmed as the team’s FP1 driver for Mexico and Abu Dhabi as part of his two mandatory rookie races.
Steiner is weighing his options for next season on whether to keep Schumacher in the squad alongside Kevin Magnussen or replace the German.
Earlier in 2022, doubts arose over Schumacher’s future with the team – and in F1 in general – due to several accidents and a lack of results, but after the summer break the player from 23 years old managed to stabilize the ship.
While Haas has generally struggled for competitiveness, Schumacher has outqualified Magnussen three times in the past five races and appears to have held on for 2023.
When asked if Schumacher’s history and experience with the team could be an additional argument in favor of the German, Steiner admitted that ‘the starter has a home advantage’.
“Absolutely, if you work with someone for two years, it’s an advantage. The starter always has the advantage, it’s a home advantage,” Steiner said in Japan.
“If you can work with someone for two years, that’s better than bringing in someone new, because like I’ve always said, you don’t have time to learn.
“That’s why we also brought Kevin back, because he was here. He was out for a year, but he knew everyone, and that’s always an advantage when you start from somewhere.”
Mick Schumacher, Haas VF-22, Kevin Magnussen, Haas VF-22, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR22, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL36
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
After a disastrous Monaco Grand Prix in May, in which Schumacher suffered the latest of several crashes, he came under fire as the team’s bills for crash damage piled up, with Steiner saying: ” It’s just not possible to go on like this.”
If Haas decides not to continue with Schumacher for a third season, the very experienced Nico Hulkenberg is still considered a candidate for a return to F1.
Antonio Giovinazzi, who will have a second FP1 with the team at the upcoming United States Grand Prix as part of his deal with Ferrari, is also believed to be on the list.
Meanwhile Pietro Fittipaldi, who replaced the injured Romain Grosjean in the final two races of 2020, has been confirmed as the team’s FP1 driver for Mexico and Abu Dhabi as part of his two mandatory rookie races.