Haas has announced that it will enter next year’s F1 world championship with an unchanged driver line-up, the US outfit retaining Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin.<\/p>\n
Will few or no alternative options for next season available for either driver, Haas’ status quo was widely expected.<\/p>\n
Ferrari F1 boss Mattia Binotto recently expressed his desire to see Schumacher \u2013 a Scuderia prot\u00e9g\u00e9 \u2013 undertake a second season with Haas, while Mazepin’s significant sponsorship package through his father’s Uralkali company guaranteed the Russian a second campaign with the US outfit.<\/p>\n
“We knew we wanted continuity behind the wheel in 2022 and I\u2019m happy to confirm exactly that with Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin competing for Uralkali Haas F1 Team next year,” commented Haas team boss Guenther Steiner.<\/p>\n
“2021 has afforded both drivers the opportunity to learn Formula 1 \u2013 and as rookies \u2013 they\u2019ve done a lot of that this year.<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s been a tough season for sure with the package we\u2019ve had, but at the same time they\u2019ve both embraced the challenge and worked closely with the team to learn our processes and adapt to the rigors of a Formula 1 campaign and all that brings \u2013 both internally and externally.<\/p>\n
“Now as we look ahead to the 2022 season, we\u2019re confident we can move forward as a team and give Mick and Nikita a competitive race package to make the next step in their Formula 1 careers.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Although they will race together once again in 2022, there is no love lost between Schumacher and Mazepin who have endured multiple flash points this season, the most recent clash between the two drivers taking place at Monza where the Russian punted his teammate into a spin, although he later owned up to the mistake.<\/p>\n
“By being part of the Formula 1 field, I am living my dream,” said Schumacher, commenting on his contract extension.<\/p>\n
“The first year together with Haas F1 is very exciting and instructive, and I’m sure I can bring all the experience I’ve gained into the coming year.<\/p>\n
“New technical regulations, the impressive ambition of the entire Haas F1 team and the support of Ferrari – of course I believe this will bring us closer to the field in the 2022 season and we will be able to fight for points.<\/p>\n
“I’m looking forward to being part of a team that is getting stronger, and I’ll do everything I can from my side to move us forward.<\/p>\n
“Finally, I would like to thank the Ferrari Driver Academy for the trust they continue to give me and the support they have shown me over the years.”<\/p>\n