Although Mick Schumacher (22) at Haas-Ferrari continues to squabble with teammate Nikita Mazepin who is 20 days older than the track about the golden pineapple and the heavier car, he is now – especially in Germany – in the kitchen of transfer rumors devices.
Does «Haase» want to leave Schumi?
The German with the Swiss passport certainly does not feel comfortable with the US team controlled by the Russians. And the world champion son has long since realized after eight races that a second Haas season will hardly help him on the ambitious way to the top.
But what to do For Blick, Schumi was a clear candidate for Hinwil last fall. At the German GP at the Nürburgring, Schumi was already waiting in the garage in his Alfa-Sauber overall for his 90-minute Friday outing.
Eifel weather stops Schumi …
But the weather didn’t cooperate on October 9th in the Eifel. Rain and fog prevented the first training session – and so many questions remained unanswered.
In winter, the “puller” Ferrari decided not to park his protégé in Hinwil, but at Haas in England.
Ferrari does what it wants
Alfa-Sauber boss Fred Vasseur said to Blick at the time: “I also don’t understand why Mick doesn’t drive for us!” But if you get at least one pilot from the Italian command center, you may not be surprised by a surprise in the coming transfer months.
For the French team boss who used to be successful in the junior classes with Hamilton, Hülkenberg or Rosberg, the situation is tricky.
Mick: In a few weeks …
Which two drivers would he bring to Hinwil for 2022? He can’t tell because too many people are making decisions in the background. In the case of Schumi, it is clear: If Mick wants to get World Cup points, he’ll have to leave Haas soon.
Mick meaningfully: “My head is here now. What happens in 2022 may be seen in a few weeks! “
But just: nothing works without Ferrari. And the own factory gates in Maranello are closed for the young man with the big name until 2024 with Leclerc and Sainz. So the Reds are not that convinced of Schumi junior!
This time Ilott was allowed to answer
What else will happen in Hinwil is open. In Spielberg’s first practice session, Alfa-Sauber used a substitute driver Callum Ilott this time (Pole Robert Kubica was allowed to run here a week ago).
The 22-year-old Briton Ilott comes – like Schumi and probably the greatest talent, Robert Robert Shwartzman – from the Ferrari Academy.
Fortunately, the traditional racing team can only play with the “marionettes” at Haas and Alfa Sauber. And the team bosses there (Steiner and Vasseur) have to accept it.
The new pilots
In the first practice session, three teams used another driver: At Alfa-Sauber, Ilott clearly lagged behind the astonishing Raikkonen. At Williams-Mercedes, Israeli Roy Nissany can continue to do his laps – and pay for it.
At Alpine, the Chinese Forme 2 pilot Guanyu Zhou from the French Academy was allowed to do 25 laps.
New tires – old punishment
The three practice sessions also focus on a new rear tire from Pirelli for the premiere at the next race on July 18 at Silverstone. Every driver has to do at least 12 timed laps by Saturday.
Well, the FIA canceled over 30 times in the last two corners 9 and 10 – as it did a week ago. Reason: Track Limits – or the pilots had left the track with all four wheels at the exit.
Royal Kimi – Sixth
With six times deleted, Kimi in the Alfa-Sauber was the “curb king” of the last two corners on the 4.318 km long Red Bull Ring. The time of the Finns was also royal. He was sixth ahead of Hamilton and Pérez. Only 0.443 behind the training winner and world championship leader Verstappen.