Mick Schumacher’s terrible crash of 33g at Saudi Arabian GP cost Haas $1 million in repairs

Mick Schumacher’s terrible crash of 33g at Saudi Arabian GP cost Haas $1 million in repairs

Mick Schumacher

The Haas team has got off to a great start in the 2022 season, having won 12 points in the opening two races, thanks to them putting all of their efforts of the last two years into the development of its VF-22. Although this cost them points and poor performances in the past two seasons, they surely seem to be on a good track this season, as they already have a P5 finish.

But, the team’s and the whole grid’s worries multiplied when Haas driver Mick Schumacher crashed into the wall with a force of 33g during Q2 at the Saudi Arabian GP. The driver had hit a kerb on the track, due to which he lost control of his car and hit the walls. The repair cost of the car is estimated to be $1 million, as told by the team principal, Guenther Steiner.

Mick Schumacher’s crash also highlighted the grave concerns associated with the track. Many drivers spoke of the dangers of the blind corners on such a fast street circuit. Due to the Jeddah circuit being a street one, the walls are close, which means the impact happens at a high speed than it would happen at another circuit, as also witnessed in Schumacher’s case.

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Guenther Steiner speaks of Mick Schumacher’s car repairing costs

Mick Schumacher's crash at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying
Mick Schumacher’s crash at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying

This is the second year of cost cap implementation in F1, which was brought in to make the sport a level ground for all the teams on the grid. And repairing costs as big as these come as a challenge for Haas.

Guenther Steiner, as quoted by the GP Fans, said, “The chassis itself doesn’t seem to be broken, the side-impact structure but you can change them. We need to do a proper check on the chassis but not too bad, to be honest. The engine, I’ve been told by Ferrari, seems to be okay, the battery pack as well, and then all the rest is broken.”

He added, “The cost is pretty high because all the suspension is gone except the front left. There is still something on there, the rest is just like talcum powder. I don’t know money-wise as yet but the bodywork’s gone, radiator so between half-a-million to a million [dollars] I would say.”

The team and Mick both would be looking forward to making a comeback in Australia. The performance of the engine can be studied during the practice sessions, and if the need arises, they shall replace it later.

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