Vettel criticises Haas choice: 'Team management is difficult to understand'

Haas announced on the Thursday before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that Mick Schumacher will leave the team after this season. The German will be replaced by Nico Hulkenberg, who will return to Formula 1 with a full-time seat for the first time since 2019. Sebastian Vettel finds Haas' choice hard to understand.

The Haas announcement had been coming for a while. Rumours were growing stronger that Schumacher would have to make way for Hulkenberg in 2023. The team, especially Guenther Steiner, had reportedly not been satisfied with the young German's performance. After two seasons in F1, he has to leave the sport (for now). There is only one seat left at Williams, but it is reserved for Logan Sargeant for now. The American just needs to make sure he collects enough super licence points in the final Formula 2 race.

Speaking to Sky Germany, Vettel voices his criticism of the Haas team. The four-time world champion is good friends with Schumacher and has given him a lot of advice during his time in F1. "It is of course bitter for him and in that sense I am sorry. I think sometimes the team management at Haas is a bit difficult to understand."

The Aston Martin driver believes Schumacher "absolutely" deserves a place in the sport. According to Vettel, Haas is not innocent because several things have not gone as hoped this year. That is not just their driver's fault. He hopes Schumacher comes back stronger in the future. "I think and hope he will get a chance, because he definitely has the potential", says the German, who will drive his very last F1 race this coming weekend in Abu Dhabi.