German Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, will make his Formula 1 starter debut in 2021 with Haas.
"With a contract of several years," announced the American team in a press release Wednesday.
To prepare, the 21-year-old driver will take part in free practice 1 of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 11 and end-of-season tests at the same Yas Marina circuit on December 15.
Driver of the Ferrari youth sector (which powers Haas) and Formula 2, the lower category, since 2019, Mick Schumacher is at the top of the drivers' standings one round from the end of the season, this weekend in Bahrain, with 14 points ahead and 48 at most still to be taken.
Schumi Jr "speechless"
“Mick won races (2), offered podiums (10) and shone against some pretty exceptional talent in 2020. I am convinced that he deserved the opportunity to be promoted in F1 thanks to his performances ”, explains the principal team of Haas Guenther Steiner, anticipating possible criticisms which would estimate that the German especially gained its place thanks to its name and its links with Ferrari.
"The prospect of being on the grid next year makes me incredibly happy and leaves me speechless," responds
Schumi Jr
.
“I would like to thank Haas, Ferrari and their line of young drivers for placing their trust in me.
I also want to recognize the role of my parents and send them my love: I know that I owe them everything ”.
Next season, the German driver will be teamed up with another F1 novice, Russian Nikita Mazepin, also promoted from F2.
Son of businessman Dmitry Mazepin, owner of Russian mineral fertilizer manufacturer Uralchem, the latter makes a financial contribution to a team that needs it, penalized by its poor sporting results, synonymous with reduced bonuses, and by the loss of income linked to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
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Both will replace the French Romain Grosjean, released Wednesday morning from the Bahrain military hospital where he was recovering from burns suffered during his appalling accident on Sunday during the Bahrain GP, and the Danish Kevin Magnussen.