Hulkenberg v Schumacher: Who should Haas choose in F1 2023?

The last remaining seat on the Formula 1 grid for 2023 is at Haas. It is between Nico Hulkenberg and Mick Schumacher. We put the following question to GPblog editors from different editions: Who should Haas choose? In the poll and comments, let us know who you think Haas should take as their driver for next season.

Camille Stocker Cassiède - French edition of GPblog

Mick Schumacher is blamed too easily because he did not have the same start to his career as his father. Let’s not forget that he started at Haas. His start to the 2022 season wasn't the best, but his performances are good against his teammate. In qualifying, Magnussen is undeniably the better driver at 15 to 5. In the race, however, Schumacher is better at 11 to 6. The problem is the team, messy pit stops with an average of 3.5 seconds, not to mention catastrophic strategies. If we compare it with Max Verstappen’s debut it’s quite the same, big crashes and a lot of cars in the wall but let’s not forget that he’s driving with the Haas tractor. In short, to find a Hulkenberg at Haas would just be a bad choice of management and a cruel lack of ambition for the American team.

Simone Tommasi - Italian edition of GPblog

The issue has to be approached from two perspectives. What is best for Haas? What is best for the drivers? The answers can be radically different. For Haas' preference, we have to try to understand what the American team wants to do in the coming years. Choosing Hulkenberg could guarantee better results in the immediate future, fewer rookie mistakes and perhaps even spending less money in repairing cars. However he is already 35 years old, has not driven regularly in F1 for three years and has a difficult relationship with teammate Magnussen. Betting on Schumacher would perhaps mean another season like 2022, but also being able to bet on a 23-year-old driver to build a project.

Tim Kraaij - Dutch edition of GPblog

My preference would be Mick Schumacher. Although the young German has not performed well enough this year and may not be the promised mega-talent, Nico Hulkenberg is not the answer. Would the 35-year-old really be that much faster after a three-year absence and how much turmoil will the Hulkenberg-Magnussen driver combination cause? Daniel Ricciardo would have been a great option for Haas, but he himself does not want to. If the Australian is unobtainable, then the team should just stick with Schumacher. Hulkenberg's arrival is only going to cause more problems, where Schumacher will hopefully have another development at 23.

Rubén Gómez Burillo - Spanish edition of GPblog

One is young and talented, the other is a seasoned veteran, who when he gets in the car you can see that he is a very good driver. Fortunately, I don't have to decide. In my opinion, Hulkenberg has the seat. I think Haas need two experienced drivers to boost the team in the standings. On the other hand, it would not be the end of Formula 1 for Schumacher. Audi will enter Formula 1 with Alfa Romeo, and a German brand with a German driver, everything is perfect.

Oliver Lewis - English edition of GPblog 

If I had to pick the Haas seat for next year. I’m sticking with Schumacher. Although there is no doubting Hulkenberg’s speed, frankly he’s had enough chances and not enough to show for it. He doesn’t seem to have the ability to translate results in high-pressure situations, something that I think is a very good quality to have in a driver. And while Schumacher hasn’t given the best showing this year. When his job was on the line midseason he produced some of his best races, a clutch factor that I think can go a long way in F1.

Rafael Diaz Lehmann - English edition of GPblog

Looking at the head-to-head battle between Haas teammates Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher, you would be surprised to see how well the young German holds up given their positions in the points standings. While Magnussen leads the qualifying head-to-head with a 15-5 lead, the race comparison is 11-6 in Schumacher’s favour. So why are Haas supposedly looking to replace the young German with the returning Nico Hülkenberg who hasn’t raced full-time since 2019? It beats me. It seems unreasonable that Haas will seemingly be clipping the wings on the young Schumacher’s early career in favour of the man who has infamously never stood on the F1 podium before. If the American outfit are serious about moving up the field, this certainly isn’t the way to go about it.

Vicente Soella - Brazilian Edition of GPblog

I think Haas should give Mick another try. I know he did not achieve good results for the team this year and, of course, brought some losses with his crashes. Beyond that, the young German currently has 12 points less than his teammate Kevin Magnussen, with his last points dating from the Austrian GP almost 4 months ago - it seems pretty bad for sure. Hulkenberg, on the other hand, is already 35. I don't know if he could do much better than Mick has been doing, to be honest. He has a long career in Formula 1 but never really proved himself. Of course, his experience could help Haas to improve their car, but it isn't worth giving him a regular seat.

Matt Gretton - English edition of GPblog

I'd pick Nico Hulkenberg. Even at 35 years old, it's not certain to be a short-term option. Hamilton is almost three years older, Alonso 6 years older and we know what Kimi Raikkonen did. It's reasonable that Hulkenberg has five years left in him and alongside Magnussen, they could form the one of most experienced partnerships on the grid. Experience in developing a Formula 1 car is exactly what Haas need if they want to rise up the grid. Schumacher hasn't got it in my opinion, and Formula 1 should be brutal.

In the poll and comments, let us know who you think Haas should take as a driver for next season