Possible domino effect could mean the end for Mick Schumacher
Created: 11/05/2022 11:14 am
By: Stefan Schmid
The introduction of a new reserve driver at Aston Martin could be the decisive stone that costs Mick Schumacher his cockpit at Haas.
Silverstone/Munich – A rather unspectacular announcement from Aston Martin about signing up a new test driver could have a far-reaching effect on Mick Schumacher.
The reason for this is much less who will complete test drives for Sebastian Vettel's racing team next season, but who will no longer be available as a replacement for Aston Martin.
So far, the German Nico Hülkenberg was under contract with the traditional English team as a reserve pilot, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore.
Haas Cockpit: Schumacher or Hulkenberg?
Aston Martin's announcement welcomes Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne as test and reserve driver alongside Felipe Drugovich for the upcoming season.
On the other hand, there is no mention of Nico Hülkenberg, who was allowed to represent Sebastian Vettel twice this season.
It is now an open secret that Hülkenberg could become the possible successor to Mick Schumacher at Haas.
A change in Sebastian Vettel's racing team could also have consequences for Mick Schumacher.
© IMAGO/Mark Sutton
Even if it is now clear that Hülkenberg will not be contractually bound to any team next season, according to information from
Bild
, Haas made the decision neither for nor against Mick.
However, one thing is certain: it won't be much time before an announcement will follow.
A trend, however, is not foreseeable, Haas team boss Günther Steiner set Schumacher's chance at "50:50".
Vandoorne signature not only important for Schumacher
Even if the change from Vandoorne to Aston Martin - he was previously under contract with Mercedes as a reserve driver - Hülkenberg will not automatically sign with Haas, Schumacher should have noticed.
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And the news could have aroused interest in Daniel Ricciardo as well.
The Australian wants to stay in Formula 1 after leaving McLaren, even as a reserve driver.
So it fits into the picture that a reserve place at Mercedes has now become vacant.
(sh)