Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin already shared a team in karting, before becoming rivals in lower categories. In 2021, they became teammates at Haas and, although both were scheduled to continue together in 2022, Kevin Magnussen returned to the American team after the sudden dismissal of the Russian driver and his sponsor, Uralkali .
Over the weekend at the Jeddah circuit, home of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where Mick Schumacher was involved in a hair-raising accident, the German compared what it was like to work with both drivers.
“I would say this year I work more comfortably,” Mick said publicly. “This applies both to work on the track and to our personal relationships. Everything is better now.”
“When a new season starts you have to reassess your expectations. A year ago we expected to be 16th, but we have seen that if everything goes well we can finish fifth.”
In reference to whether Mick Schumacher had contacted Mazepin after his departure from the team was confirmed after pre-season testing in Barcelona, the German driver was very clear: “No, I have not spoken to him.”
On Magnussen , author of all Haas points in these first two races of 2022, the German added: “He has competed for a long time, much longer than me.”
“He brought a lot to the team from the start, it’s great that he’s with us, I’ve also learned a lot from him. He spent many years in F1 and drove a wide variety of cars from different generations. For us, having him is a significant advantage. “.
“It’s not that I have to copy his driving style, it’s more about the approach to the weekend in general, seeing his feelings, my feelings and comparing everything.
“Sometimes I’m faster and other times Kevin is. Anyway, when you know that both cars can perform at a good level, at the highest level possible, it’s a great thing.”
Mick Schumacher finished 11th at the Bahrain GP, while in Saudi Arabia he was unable to make the starting grid after a crash in qualifying left his VF-22 all but wrecked, with Magnussen adding the team’s 12 points.
