Binotto on Ferrari Driver Academy: "Not as good as last year"

Mick Schumacher is currently driving his first season in Formula 1 and at Haas his main task is to learn as much as possible this season. Meanwhile the Ferrari junior is being watched closely by Ferrari team boss Mattio Binotto.

Binotto satisfied

That Schumacher can show little this season is mainly due to the poor Haas. Teammate Nikita Mazepin, however, is at least in control. The mutual qualifying duel is 9-2, but that is because Schumacher had to miss out on two qualifying sessions due to a crash in the free practice sessions. In the race Mazepin only managed to finish ahead of his teammate twice. Schumacher's best result was a twelfth place in Hungary.

So all in all, Ferrari can be satisfied with their protégé. "I think Mick has been doing well since the beginning of the season," Binotto told The official website of Formula 1. "He is learning and making progress. Of course he made a few mistakes, but that's part of the learning process. Overall, we can be satisfied."

Ferrari wanted to put as little pressure on Schumacher as possible before this season. "We said from the beginning that we have to make sure he learns. And I think if we look at that objective, he is doing well. What's important for him is to continue to develop and move forward in the second half of the season, but I'm confident he can do that."

Not happy about Ferrari Driver Academy results

Last season could not have been better at the Ferrari Driver Academy. Schumacher won the Formula 2 title with other Ferrari juniors Callum Ilott second and Robert Shwartzman fourth in the championship."When I look at the junior drivers for the Ferrari Driver Academy, I think there is no doubt that in terms of results it is not as good as last year," Binotto revealed.

"Last year, especially in Formula 2, we had great results, which is not the case this year. So overall we can't be as happy as we were." In Formula 2, Shwarztman is currently the best-ranked Ferrari junior in third place in the championship. In Formula 3, Arthur Leclerc [Charles' brother] is eighth in the championship.