Ex-Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has proposed that Haas should drop Kevin Magnussen instead of Mick Schumacher for the 2023 Formula 1 season.
Mick, the nephew of Ralf, is out of contract at Haas at the end of the year, and has been rumoured to be departing the US-owned squad.
Nico Hulkenberg, who last raced full-time in F1 in 2019, has been heavily linked to replacing Schumacher at Haas in 2023 and join the team alongside Magnussen.
Magnussen returned to Haas this year on a multi-year deal, replacing Nikita Mazepin who was dropped.
But speaking to Sky Germany, Ralf has suggested that Magnussen should be in as much danger as Schumacher of losing his drive at the team.
“Anything is possible, of course, especially if we look at the last few races,” said Schumacher. “Who knows, Magnussen may not be so firmly in the seat anymore.
“If we look at the races since Silverstone, we have to conclude that Mick is the more stable and better of the two drivers – and who has also had some bad luck with wrong strategies.
“In the last race [Mexcio], Mick was sometimes up to six-tenths faster than Magnussen – so let’s wait and see for the next few races. I hope Haas make a decision soon.
“Maybe, next year we will have two Germans on the Formula 1 grid.”
Haas is set to make an announcement regarding its 2023 driver line-up before the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix later this month.
Speaking recently, Haas team boss Guenther Steiner said there was a “50/50” chance that Schumacher would remain at the team next year.
Sorry, but that statement from Ralf shows how desperate the German camp is. first you point out that everyone else is bad and the Hulk is too old. Chances are, Uncle Ralph says that the only two bad people at Haas are Gene (the man who just happens to own the team) and Steiner, who is in the team every day. Probably not wise to speak out that way. And now they see that he is probably very close to Mick’s seat, then you look at KMAG and then it is he who is bad. The Schumacker camp seems very desperate.
It’s not that Mick or Ralf is desperate. Mick is Ralf’s nephew. And family will defend family. Especially since Michael is still very bad off.