As of: February 28, 2024, 7:30 p.m
By: Philipp Kuserau
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Haas driver Nico Hülkenberg is still waiting for his first podium finish in Formula 1.
According to Ralf Schumacher, it will probably stay that way this season.
Munich – The new Formula 1 season hasn't even started yet when Ralf Schumacher's first poison arrow is already flying towards Team Haas.
According to the TV expert, it could be another very bitter year for the German driver Nico Hülkenberg, who is racing for the American racing team.
Günther Steiner is no longer team boss at Haas after unsuccessful years
Schumacher has always been considered not a big fan of Haas.
In particular, the relationship with Günther Steiner, the ex-team boss of Haas, is considered to be strained.
Not surprising: after all, Steiner kicked Mick Schumacher out after two years at Haas and hired Hülkenberg as a replacement driver.
Ralf Schumacher was always annoyed by Steiner's dealings with his nephew Mick at the time.
However, Steiner's time with the US racing team is now a thing of the past; his contract was not renewed after ten years.
The 58-year-old was replaced by Ayao Komatsu, who will now focus primarily on technology development.
Above all, the lack of success in recent years may have led to Haas' decision to ultimately dismiss Steiner.
However, Steiner will remain loyal to the premier class of motorsport in the future, albeit in a somewhat unusual role: namely as a TV expert for RTL.
Schumacher with a gloomy prognosis for Haas
According to Schumacher, however, the personnel change at the top at Haas will not have much effect.
With regard to the season starting next weekend, the TV expert sees black for the American team.
The problem of significantly excessive tire wear has been addressed, “but it won’t change much.
To put it exaggeratedly, you have the feeling that the car was cleaned up and sent back with a few small changes," said Schumacher's gloomy forecast on Sky.
Haas took last place in the constructors' championship of the last racing calendar.
A similar scenario is likely to occur in the 2024 season (all races at a glance).
“I think it is still deeply rooted that the big update from last year, in which we invested a lot of money and which was also crucial for 2024, because we thought we now had the direction and were building on it. went wrong,” said Schumacher.
Ralf Schumacher does not believe in a successful season for Team Haas.
© IMAGO / HochZwei / Eibner
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Schumacher: “We won’t see so many good scenes from Haas”
So the prospects are not good for Haas driver Hülkenberg, who finished 16th in the drivers' standings last year and only managed to score a total of nine points.
His Danish teammate Kevin Magnussen was even worse, finishing 19th.
Schumacher is keeping his fingers crossed for Hülkenberg for the coming season, “but I don’t think we will see that many good scenes from Haas,” was the Sky expert’s sobering conclusion.
Hülkenberg has competed in over 200 races in Formula 1 so far, but is still waiting for his first podium finish.
(kus)