If Grosjean can't race in Abu Dhabi, Schumacher is ready to go

Mick Schumacher has been confirmed as a driver for Haas in 2021, but there is a chance that he will make his debut in a Grand Prix this year. This very much depends on the recovery of Romain Grosjean, who has minor burns after his horror crash last Sunday. This weekend, the Frenchman will not participate, and Pietro Fittipaldi will fall in, but a week later it could be Schumacher.

Substitute for Grosjean

Both Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher will be attending the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next week and they will both be available to board if necessary. Schumacher states that he is ready and that it would also help to prepare him for the 2021 season. Schumacher said to RaceFans: "It’s great if you are considered to be ready to do that, I feel like I am."

He continues: "Obviously you have three free practices which you have time to learn. It would be a challenge but definitely I think I would be able to get to know the car more to be even better prepared for next year."

So there's no lack of self-confidence, but whether he can actually get in this year depends on future developments. Also because team boss Guenther Steiner doesn't want to make a choice yet.

"In the moment the status is I want to see where Romain is on Monday. That’s what I agreed with him. I don’t even entertain any replacement or anything. We have got enough drivers on standby that can drive so I’m not worried about it and we just take that decision [if] we know 100% that Romain cannot drive."

Last race for Haas

With the Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi the 2020 season will come to an end and Steiner hopes above all that Grosjean will be able to drive in that race. After all, it will be his last race for the team.

"If he can finish his time with Haas in a race, that’s what I would like, not just watching it. That is our aim. That is what we spoke with him. I said I fully support that you want to go out on a high and he said if I can do it that is what I want to do.

"Therefore I am quite regimental on that one. We are not deciding anything before we know that he can definitely not drive."

In any case, Grosjean will not participate this weekend.