Time is running out for Haas: 'He needs to get to know the car too'

Nikita Mazepin is currently waiting in suspense to see what the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) will decide about his Formula One future. Ralf Schumacher thinks there is a rush to the decision for the Haas F1 team.

Last Thursday, Russia conducted an invasion on behalf of President Vladimir Putin in neighboring Ukraine. Global sports federations are responding to this raid by excluding Russian athletes from international competitions. On Tuesday, the WMSC will deliberate to make a decision on the future of Mazepin and many other Russian drivers.

Schumacher feels for Mazepin. When his father with Uralkali will and is no longer allowed to sponsor the team and the WMSC excludes Mazepin from all international competitions, it looks like it could be the end of his F1 career. "That's a shame, of course," Schumacher told Sky Sport Austria, "because there's nothing the boy can do about it."

According to Michael Schumacher's brother, the decision must be made quickly though, because there is time pressure behind it. Mazepin tested with the Haas VF-22 during the test week in Barcelona. If the Russian has to be replaced, Schumacher says it is important that his replacement drives during the second test week in Bahrain: "Whoever comes after him must have the chance to get to know the car."

According to Schumacher, three drivers have a chance of replacing Mazepin. These are Haas test driver Pietro Fittipaldi, Antonio Giovinazzi and Oscar Piastri. The latter is somewhat interesting, since Piastri belongs to the Alpine Academy and Haas, on the other hand, drives with Ferrari engines.