Haas Opportunity a Possible Stepping Stone for Mick Schumacher Towards Ferrari: Binotto

21-year-old Mick Schumacher will now finally drive in the top motorsport division that is Formula 1. The Ferrari junior recently inked a deal with Haas, starting next season.

There is certainly a lot to learn for Mick right now, as he enters the sport as a newly crowned F2 champion. However, the road ahead is full of opportunities and success at a top team, should he do things the right way.

Scuderia Ferrari team principal, Mattia Binotto, has touched upon the role of the renowned Ferrari Drivers’ Academy program. Safe to say, the team will keep tabs on Schumacher and his progress with Haas.

FDA program looking to prepare drivers to drive for Ferrari one day, says Binotto

Speaking in an interview, Binotto stated, “Mick Schumacher will be one of the drivers for Haas next year, which for us is a great opportunity, showing the strength of collaboration we’ve got.

“Mick is part of our FDA (Ferrari Drivers Academy) and the FDA program is not there to develop drivers for F1, but it’s there to develop drivers that one day may drive a Ferrari seat, a red car.”

Naturally, promoting Mick directly to the Scuderia Ferrari seat would not have made sense, considering his inexperience. With the likes of Haas and Alfa Romeo acting as Ferrari’s affiliates, it gives an opportunity to the academy’s young drivers to prove themselves there.

Binotto continued, “When you move from F2 and jump into F1, the very first year cannot be a directly into a red car because that would be too much responsibility and not enough experience.”

Schumacher’s primary focus lies in establishing a learning curve in F1 with Haas

“So knowing that we’ve got customer teams or partners on which we may count to continue developing our drivers in F1 is an important element,” concluded Binotto.

Given Mick is only just stepping into the world of Formula 1, it is natural that the FDA want to carefully manage his development. At Haas and under team boss Guenther Steiner, he will have a wonderful environment to learn and grow.

Therefore, Mick will look to make the most out of the opportunities he receives at the American outfit. Potentially, someday, he will get to drive for the team his legendary father made history with.