I didn’t take Mick for public relations

(Motorsport-Total.com) – Günther Steiner could be a sought-after man in the coming months if sponsors are considering advertising in Formula 1. Because the once “gray mouse” Haas will presumably get significantly more media coverage with the newly Mick Schumacher arrived than before. As early as day 1 after the official announcement, even the mainstream media beyond the motorsport press are full of reports about Schumacher junior. and his new team.

© Haas

Mick Schumacher on Wednesday in Bahrain, with his future crew chief Focus

Steiner takes the hype in stride. He joked that he had had many calls wanting to know who this Mick Schumacher is, and admits that the media interest is already noticeably higher: “Having Mick Schumacher on the team is a great honor. when Mick Schumacher comes, that causes a stir. “

“Mick Schumacher is Mick Schumacher. It’s normal for there to be interest. All over the world. His father is a legend. That’s great. But you have to deal with it well, because it can backfire. You have to deal with it properly. We have to Give him the best material we can and strengthen him and prepare him for a great future. “

Even if less-informed fans have realized that Schumacher won’t win any races in 2021, the hype could fade a bit anyway. But especially in early European races, Haas’ relatively small hospitality could explode in early rounds of press. Steiner takes it easy: “Then we will just set up a tent.”

Schumacher isn’t just about public relations

But Schumacher’s decision was not made primarily to attract sponsors, South Tyrol says. Earlier in the summer, he presented the team’s owner, Gene Haas, with the bold plan for the team’s future, which included the idea of ​​putting a junior Ferrari in one of two cabins.

Steiner then contacted Mattia Binotto, who had highly talented drivers under contract but couldn’t offer a cockpit in Formula 1. Which junior he would get was Ferrari’s decision. After Schumacher took over the leadership of the Formula 2 championship in Sochi, all that was left to do was negotiate the contracts.

But there is no money from Ferrari for that, assures Steiner: “They didn’t sell me anything. We were looking for drivers and they had a lot of drivers. They gave me a driver who they support. That is of great value.” That’s the deal with Ferrari. We have been working with them for a long time. There is nothing more than that. “

That sounds a bit like Haas at least doesn’t have to pay a salary for Schumacher. However, the parties involved have agreed not to disclose the details of the contract. Either way, Steiner assumes that Schumacher’s name will have “positive” effects on the team. “But there is still a lot of work to do before that,” he says.

Masepin: sponsorship deal not finalized yet?

“We wanted Mick,” he clarifies. “Our consideration was not, ‘If we accept Mick, we will get a lot of publicity.’ Hope that has an impact, but it is not the case at the moment. Ultimately, the goal is for Mick to do well. But if that brings economic benefits, of course we will take advantage of them. “

With Haas’ second rookie Nikita Maspin, it’s an open secret that Father Dmitri pays for the cabin with his multi-million dollar mining company Uralkali. Masepin Sr. was even willing to buy his son the entire Force India team in the summer of 2018, offering the equivalent of more than 110 million euros.

If Steiner canceled Sergio Pérez with millions from his Mexican sponsor, despite his experience and quality as a racing driver, to get involved in the experiment with two rookies, you may have a rough idea of ​​how much money the Masepin family will bring to the team. Haas. .

But Steiner says that a sponsorship deal associated with Maspin has yet to finally be closed. First you have to “see what we are doing”, explains the South Tyrolean, when asked by ‘Motorsport-Total.com’ on the subject. Something will surely come …