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Son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who will come out of F2 next season, where he could clinch the title this weekend; Mick Schumacher signs a multi-year contract and will be teammates with Nikita Mazepin in Haas’ new rookie lineup.
By Matt Morlidge
Last update: 02/12/20 9:00 am
Mick Schumacher will join the Formula 1 grid for 2021, and Haas confirmed that the German will partner with Nikita Mazepin in a new driver lineup.
The long-awaited announcement means that the Schumacher name will return to F1 after a nine-year absence. Mick’s father, Michael, won seven world titles during a legendary career, which ended in 2012.
Schumacher will make his Haas debut, and on the F1 weekend, in Friday practice at next week’s Abu Dhabi GP. He will then drive the VF-20 in the young pilot test at the same circuit the following Tuesday.
The Mazepin deal was announced Tuesday.
“The prospect of being on the Formula 1 grid next year makes me incredibly happy and I’m just speechless,” said Schumacher, who has signed a multi-year contract.
“I would like to thank the Haas F1 Team, the Scuderia Ferrari and the Ferrari Driver Academy for placing their trust in me. I also want to acknowledge and extend my love to my parents, I know that I owe them everything. I have always believed that I would realize my dream of the Formula 1.
“A big thank you also goes to all the great motorsport fans who have supported me throughout my career. I will give it my all, as I always do, and I look forward to taking this journey together with Haas F1 and them.”
Mick will try to follow in his father’s successful footsteps, and he has shown great promise as a junior. He currently leads the Formula 2 championship with one round remaining and has already won in Formula 3, while also taking part in Ferrari’s young drivers program, where Michael claimed six of his seven F1 crowns.
Schumacher, who can win the F2 title this weekend in Bahrain, and Mazepin, will replace Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen in the American team.
5:53 A very special moment when Mick Schumacher presented Lewis Hamilton with one of his father’s protective helmets after the Briton equaled the F1 winning record.
Haas are motorsport partners of the Scuderia and therefore, after confirming the joint departure of Grosjean and Magnussen, it was always likely that they would pick at least one Ferrari-backed star.
Team boss Guenther Steiner said: “Mick has won races, racked up podiums and has stood out against some pretty exceptional talents in 2020.
“I firmly believe that the opportunity to graduate from Formula 1 based on their performances has been earned. We have an opportunity ahead as a team to evaluate and nurture a new driver given our familiarity with our racing package heading into 2021 “.
1:17 Martin Brundle sat down with Mick Schumacher ahead of what should have been his F1 practice debut at the Eifel GP with Alfa Romeo.
“We are putting our building blocks in place for the continued long-term growth of the team and I look forward to Mick’s contributions both on and off the track in that process.”
Schumacher will be a partner with Mazepin, the Russian pilot, and he is only 20 days older than Mick. Mazepin has achieved two wins in F2 this season and is currently third, while he has completed days of F1 testing in the past with Racing Point and Mercedes.
GRID CONFIRMED 2021 FORMULA 1 …
Mercedes: TBC and Valtteri Bottas
Red Bull: Max Verstappen and TBC
Aston Martin: Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll
McLaren: Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris
Renault: Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz
AlphaTauri: Pierre Gasly and TBC
Alfa Romeo: Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi
Haas: Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin
Williams: George Russell and Nicholas Latifi
‘The Schumacher Family Will Be Proud’: And Is Mick The Real Business?
Ted Kravitz’s analysis of Sky F1, in Bahrain
“In a sense, Mick is echoing what his father Michael did. He’s starting with a small team: Michael started with the Jordan team in Formula 1 and earlier with the Sauber team in sports cars before going to Benetton to The first of seven world championships. So Mick is echoing that, except he’s doing it without his dad’s backing and he would love to have that. Michael was always so proud of his kids, of Mick.
“Mick’s mother, Corinna, Michael’s wife, was very relieved when Michael stopped racing. She said ‘I finally got him back.’ Now she has a son racing in Formula 1. It will be a huge source of pride for Michael and Corinna.
0:53 Mick Schumacher’s brilliant overtaking of Yuki Tsunoda saw him take the lead in the first Formula 2 race at the Russian Grand Prix.
“Mick has a great job ahead of him, but I hope he has a lot of time to do it. He is a slow burner, he is Mick Schumacher. He is not explosive with his speed and therefore he obviously deserves to be in Formula 1 from a young age. like Michael Schumacher “. .
“Mick has taken a couple of years in all the seasons he has done to tow in the championship. So we have to give him a little time in Formula 1.”
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