par L’Allemand Mick Schumacher, le fils du septuple champion du monde Michael Schumacher, fera ses débuts en Formule 1 en 2021 avec Haas « avec un contrat de plusieurs années », a annoncé l’écurie américaine dans un communiqué.
Pour se préparer, Mick Schumacher participera aux essais libres 1 du Grand Prix d’Abou Dhabi le 11 décembre et aux tests de fin de saison sur ce même circuit de Yas Marina le 15 décembre.
Pilote de la filière de Ferrari (qui motorise Haas) et de Formule 2, depuis 2019, Mick Schumacher est en tête du classement des pilotes à une manche de la fin de saison, ce week-end à Bahreïn, avec 14 points d’avance et 48 au maximum encore à prendre.
« Mick a gagné des courses, s’est offert des podiums et a brillé contre des talents assez exceptionnels en 2020 en F2. Je suis convaincu qu’il a mérité l’opportunité d’être promu en F1 grâce à ses performances », justifie le team principal de Haas Guenther Steiner, anticipant d’éventuelles critiques qui estimeraient que l’Allemand a surtout gagné sa place grâce à son nom et ses liens avec Ferrari.
« La perspective d’être sur la grille l’an prochain me rend incroyablement heureux », réagit Schumi Jr. « Je voudrais remercier Haas, Ferrari et sa filière de jeunes pilotes pour m’avoir fait confiance. Je veux aussi reconnaître le rôle de mes parents et leur envoyer mon amour : je sais que je leur dois tout. »
La saison prochaine, le pilote allemand sera associé à un autre novice en F1, le Russe Nikita Mazepin, lui aussi promu depuis la F2. Fils de l’homme d’affaires Russe, Dmitry Mazepin.
Tous deux remplaceront le Français Romain Grosjean, sorti mercredi matin de l’hôpital militaire de Bahreïn où il récupérait de brûlures subies lors de son effroyable accident dimanche durant le GP de Bahreïn, et le Danois Kevin Magnussen.
Exciting times! 😁
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) December 2, 2020
Hear from @SchumacherMick as he signs for the team from next season 👇#HaasF1 pic.twitter.com/Ev01Z8TOVb
Information in English
Mick Schumacher Confirmed at Haas F1 Team
Formula 2 Championship Leader to Graduate to Formula 1 in 2021
KANNAPOLIS, North Carolina (December 2, 2020) – Haas F1 Team has signed Germany’s Mick Schumacher
as part of its all-new driver lineup for the 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship and beyond in a multi-year
agreement. Schumacher gets an early start on his preparations as a full-time Formula 1 driver – driving the
team’s VF-20 in FP1 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Friday 11 December, before participating in the end of
season young driver test at Yas Marina Circuit, Tuesday 15 December.
Schumacher (21), a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy and the son of seven-time FIA Formula 1 World
Champion Michael Schumacher, leads the Formula 2 title race heading into the final round of the season at
Bahrain International Circuit (R12 4-6 December). Schumacher holds a 14-point advantage at the top of the
points table – his sophomore season with Prema Racing netting 10 podium finishes to-date, including a pair of
stand-out Feature Race victories at Monza and Sochi.
“I’m very pleased that we’re able to confirm Mick Schumacher in our driver lineup for next season and I look
forward to welcoming him into the team,” stated Guenther Steiner, Team Principal of Haas F1 Team. “The
Formula 2 Championship has long served as a proving ground for talent to showcase their credentials and this
year’s field has undoubtedly been one of the most competitive in recent seasons. Mick has won races,
collected podiums and excelled against some pretty exceptional talent in 2020.
“I firmly believe he’s earned the opportunity to graduate into Formula 1 based on his performances. We have
an opportunity ahead of us, as a team, to evaluate and nurture a new driver given our familiarity with our race
package heading into 2021. We are putting in place our building blocks for the continued long-term growth of
the team and I look forward to Mick’s contributions both on and off the track in that process.”
Schumacher joins Haas F1 Team with six seasons of open-wheel racing under his belt. Starting his journey in
the 2015 ADAC F4 Germany series, he progressed to the FIA Formula 3 European Championship – winning
the title in 2018 courtesy of eight victories. He was appointed to the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2019 as he
made his Formula 2 debut. Schumacher had his first taste of contemporary Formula 1 cars in April of that
season, participating at the in-season test in Bahrain testing with both Scuderia Ferrari and Alfa Romeo Racing
across the two days.
“The prospect of being on the Formula 1 grid next year makes me incredibly happy and I’m simply
speechless,” stated Mick Schumacher upon his confirmation. “I would like to thank Haas F1 Team, Scuderia
Ferrari and the Ferrari Driver Academy for placing their trust in me. I also want to acknowledge and extend my
love to my parents – I know that I owe them everything. I have always believed that I would realize my dream
of Formula 1. A huge thank you must also go to all the great motorsport fans out there who have supported me
throughout my career. I will give it my all, as I always do, and I look forward to going on this journey together
with Haas F1 and them.”
