Guenther Steiner Reveals the “Cheap” Reason Why He Didn’t Approach Mick Schumacher for a Reserve Role

Back in 2021, when Mick Schumacher joined Haas, he was one of the hottest properties in F1. Fresh from his victorious F2 campaign, Schumacher was eager to show his mettle to the entire world. However, driver errors and a squalid 2021 challenger meant Schumacher’s debut season in the sport wasn’t that memorable. Then, 2022 came beckoning. Schumacher had always been a driver who had needed a year or two to actually get going, his F2 career being a testament to this. However, he was stacked up against a bona fide driver in Kevin Magnussen. His mistakes didn’t cease either. And after a disappointing season where his teammate shone, Schumacher was shown the exit doors at Haas.

All things said and done, just when it seemed that the German’s F1 career was on the brink of a long sabbatical, Mercedes swooped in to save the day. For 2023, he shall be their reserve driver. But why was he never a reserve driver option at Haas? Even until just before he joined the Silver Arrows, he was essentially a Ferrari driver, and Haas, a customer team.

Team boss Guenther Steiner revealed it all to GPFans.com. He said, “I didn’t ask him, to be honest. It’s always difficult for somebody, if you have driven for a team, to then be relegated to reserve driver. I don’t think he would be happy with that. He didn’t approach me about that, and I didn’t want to [approach him about it]. It’s a bit cheap to ask him.”

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Even though Schumacher isn’t really in contention for a proper race seat with the Brackley-based team, he does have the stamp of approval of one of the greatest drivers this sport has ever seen.

Lewis Hamilton gives his verdict on the Mick Schumacher – Mercedes situation

The Schumacher name will always be synonymous with Mercedes. Michael Schumacher made his storied comeback to the sport in 2010 with the newly formed team. And now, more than a decade later, his son walks down the same road leading to their Brackley factory.

But what does Lewis Hamilton think about it all? Speaking to Sport Bild, as quoted by Grandprix247.com, Hamilton said, “Mick is a great talent and an asset for Mercedes. He is a German driver. His father Michael and Mercedes were already closely connected.”

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Will Mick Schumacher ever be in contention for a full-time Mercedes race seat?