‘I didn’t speak with him’: Guenther Steiner reveals Mick Schumacher did not get a telling-off for ‘self-inflicted’ crash
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Mick Schumacher (IMAGO / PanoramiC)
Mick Schumacher had a rather disappointing Friday this Japanese GP weekend. The German driver was sitting at 7th in the standings but crashed after the chequered flag had already been waved. The session took place in very tricky, and wet conditions, which would have contributed to it.
Schumacher’s future has been rather uncertain for a while now, even if it is now being said that Haas are negotiating with him for a 2023 contract. Regardless of that, this crash wouldn’t help him at all. While he was fine, the VF-22 was damaged significantly, and the team had to replace the chassis – which meant he would sit out FP2.
As per Formula 1’s official website, The German said of his Friday: “Yeah, obviously it was quite rainy, unfortunately we had a little aquaplane moment then it led to us losing the rear. Of course, it’s not amazing; we lost some time especially in the FP2 session because we didn’t get out and drive – mainly for safety reasons and the chassis.”
Also Read: Mick Schumacher reportedly in negotiations with Haas for 2023 contract extension
Mick Schumacher would be surprised if FP1 crash affects his 2023 contract chances
Despite the little moment, Mick Schumacher seemed rather optimistic for the rest of the weekend: “Yeah, we’re going to do more of a job tomorrow but the track is great, the car feels great today, so I’m sure we’ll be hopefully in a good position and tomorrow should be dry, so we’ll see what we can do there.”
While Schumacher put his crash down as an ‘unfortunate aquaplane moment’, his team principal, Guenther Steiner felt that the crash was ‘self-inflicted’. As per Motorsport.com, Steiner said: “There’s nothing good in that crash. At some stage you’re a race car driver, and you know in spray you cannot see, and there was water before.”
The Haas team principal continued: “I mean I’m not out there, I’m not telling you how difficult it is. This job is not easy, you know. But in the end it was self-inflicted. I mean yeah, there was spray, there was water, but we all know that.” adding that he did not ‘tell off’ Schumacher for the crash: “Sometimes less is more. I didn’t speak with him. So less is more.”
Mick Schumacher stated that he would be surprised if this crash affected his chances, as the performance has been there, and was hoping for points on Sunday. Guenther Steiner also confirmed that the chassis was changed more as a precaution, and not because of any immediate threat.
Also Read: ‘I’m done with rookies,’ Guenther Steiner rules out new talent partnering Kevin Magnussen for 2023
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Aniket Tripathi
(1002 Articles Published)