Schumacher set to give VF-21 track debut on Friday

Mick Schumacher is set to be the first driver to sample Haas’ VF-21 when Formula 1 pre-season testing begins on Friday.

Both Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin, who form an all-rookie line-up at the American-owned team in 2021, will drive half a day each across the three days of testing.

Mazepin will sample the car for the first time on Friday afternoon, following Schumacher’s run in the morning.

The duo will share driving duties on Saturday and Sunday running half a day each, alternating sessions throughout the remaining two days.

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Prior to the car’s on-track debut, the VF-21 will be officially unveiled by Schumacher and Mazepin in the pitlane of the Bahrain International Circuit.

Earlier this week, Haas showcased its new livery for the 2021 season as well as announcing a sponsorship deal with Russian potash fertiliser company Uralkali.

“The definite priority is to get even more comfortable in the car and just trying to sort out everything that needs to be sorted out from driver kit, the seat, driver position, through to how the car feels on track and working with the team,” Schumacher said of the upcoming test.

“These are all focus points I set myself some time ago. And now we’re at the point we’re going testing it’ll be the case we can work on that. I’m looking forward to that and figuring out everything we need to be ready for the first race.”

With Haas having the least experienced driver line-up on the grid this year, Mazepin says even a short period of testing will be valuable ahead of his F1 debut.

“Obviously, the testing time has been significantly reduced this year compared to other years and this makes everything that is already challenging for a rookie more challenging,” he said.

“Every 10 minutes of a test day will be much more valuable for us. So, the key objective is to get up to that limit without overstepping it.”

Each morning session this weekend will begin at 10:00 AM local time and run for four hours, before the evening session commences at 15:00 PM – it too will last for four hours.

Haas F1’s pre-season testing line-up;