Schumacher gets support: 'A driver needs three years in F1'

Franz Tost is sticking up for Mick Schumacher, who is still unsure of his seat at Haas in 2023. The AlphaTauri team boss would have offered the German a contract extension if it were his driver.

Guenther Steiner has revealed that Haas hopes to announce the line-up before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Nico Hulkenberg, like Schumacher, is in talks with the team about a contract. According to rumours, the deal with the experienced German is already close to being finalised. However, Schumacher is getting support from several figures in the paddock. AlphaTauri team boss Tost is also backing the young German. If he were in Steiner's shoes, the Austrian would keep Schumacher as a driver.

"Mick has performed very well so far. He has developed steadily. It would be a shame if he was no longer there in this important third year. I always say that a driver needs three years until he knows where things are really going in Formula 1. That means 2023 will be the decisive year for Mick", Tost explains in conversation with F1-Insider.com.

F1 break not good for Schumacher

A break could therefore be detrimental to Schumacher, as he is at that important development stage. "It's also about the whole concept of F1. Your rhythm is interrupted. It takes a lot of time and energy to get back into that rhythm." The AlphaTauri team boss believes Schumacher has so far convinced with his talent. So if it were up to Tost, there is definitely a future in F1 for the son of legend Michael Schumacher.