Magnussen does a “huge job”
The new season is doubly difficult for Schumacher
03/21/2022, 1:35 p.m
The start of the new Formula 1 season still doesn’t bring any points for Mick Schumacher. Despite the new car. His new teammate Kevin Magnussen, on the other hand, is being celebrated. The first race in Bahrain shows how big the challenge is for Schumacher.
Mick Schumacher wants to get to the top of Formula 1 at some point. How difficult such a climb is, however, became clear from the first few meters – and the team boss is not surprised. “The higher you get, the thinner the air gets,” said Günther Steiner in Bahrain. “That’s life.”
For the first time, Schumacher is sitting in a Formula 1 car, with which more is possible than just taking part in a race. The Haas 2022 is a car for the points – and Schumacher narrowly missed it on the first try. Eleven place at the season opener in Bahrain was his best result in the premier class. And somehow a disappointment.
“In general, it was a difficult day,” said the 22-year-old afterwards, “I think we would have had more speed.” However, that was not just a suspicion, the proof was provided by looking at the teammate. It was Kevin Magnussen who redeemed Haas after a year at the end of the field, the returnee took fifth place, was the celebrated man on the US team. “The Dane did a huge job,” said Schumacher on Sky, “I’m very happy for the team with the points.”
Schumacher has stronger team opponents
A lot will change for Schumacher at the beginning of his second year in Formula 1. Expectations rise with the quality of the car, and performance is judged more severely. And in the other Haas there is now someone he can look bad next to. That’s new, he always had the Russian Nikita Mazepin under control last season.
In the race in Bahrain, Schumacher was cleared early by Alpine pilot Esteban Ocon and fell back, which must be taken into account in the evaluation. However, Magnussen already made the stronger impression in the third practice session and also in qualifying.
None of this is cause for concern, Steiner clarifies. Magnussen, who has competed in more than 100 Grands Prix, “can drive, we know that.” Schumacher has to “get used to the new situation,” said Steiner, “but he will get used to it. He will catch up.” The next chance for points will be in Saudi Arabia next weekend.
All of this is part of the ascent that should eventually lead to Ferrari. The Scuderia has been supporting Schumacher for years, but there is no elevator to the red cockpit. This also became clear again around the weekend in Bahrain.
Because the opening winner Charles Leclerc belongs to the future anyway, and his teammate Carlos Sainz will probably continue to drive for Ferrari for a while. A new contract is “pretty close to being finalized,” revealed team boss Mattia Binotto. Sainz is said to be signing for another two years.