Steiner honest: 'Schumacher should deliver strong performance more often'

Mick Schumacher must fear for his seat in Formula 1. It is starting to look more and more like the German can only go to his current team Haas, but team boss Guenther Steiner frankly admits that it is not yet certain that Schumacher will also drive for the team next year.

Haas is not doing badly this season. The team is seventh in the constructors' championship after a difficult 2021 season, in which the team scored zero points. Haas owes this mainly to the return of Kevin Magnussen. The Dane has scored 22 points so far, while Schumacher is on 12 points.

Schumacher ended his partnership with Ferrari earlier this year, leaving the German free to sign a contract with another team. However, it is starting to look more and more like teams with free seats are opting for another driver. For instance, according to the latest rumours, Nyck de Vries would drive for AlphaTauri in 2023, while Pierre Gasly will make the switch to Alpine. Williams is said to be interested in its junior Logan Sargeant.

'We don't know if Schumacher will stay'

This leaves only one option for Schumacher, but Haas is not yet sure if the German is performing consistently enough to stay with the team. Speaking to Speedweek.com Steiner was asked who will be Kevin Magnussen's teammate. "That has not been decided yet. We are considering what is best for the development of the team. Are we looking only at the technology or also at the driving element? I'll be honest, we don't know if Mick will stay or not."

"He has driven very good races in Canada, England and Austria, but he lacks consistency. He should deliver strong performances more often. We are in no hurry and Mick still has chances to show what he can do," Steiner says.

Moderate form Ricciardo

Among others, Nico Hulkenberg and Antonio Giovinazzi have been mentioned as candidates for the seat at Haas. Steiner has had talks with several drivers, but confirmed that nothing concrete is in place yet. An experienced driver with technical feedback would be more than welcome at the team, such as Daniel Ricciardo. The Australian does not yet have a seat for next season. "His form is not great at the moment and we don't know what he will do. Maybe he will take a year off," Steiner ends.