法拉利让米克等但是机会将come’

Mick Schumacher says he understands Ferrari’s decision to extend Carlos Sainz’s contract – and insists it changes nothing for him.

As a member of their academy, the German is expected to be next in line for a race seat with the Scuderia, which would mean emulating his father, Michael Schumacher, who enjoyed a golden era with the team when he won five of his seven Drivers’ World Championships between 2000 and 2004.

But that prospect looks to be a fair way off, especially afterFerrarichose toadd another two years to Sainz’s dealfollowing his strong start since joining them in 2021.

Although yet to win an F1 race, the Spaniard outscored his team-mate Charles Leclerc in his first campaign with the Italian giants and has achieved two podium finishes in three attempts this term – finishing immediately behind his colleague each time.

Therefore, unless something goes amiss for Sainz or Leclerc, with the latter currently leading the World Championship by 34 points, it will be 2025 before Schumacher, who is in his second season with Haas, can have any ideas about displacing either driver.

Investigating Imola#HaasF1#ImolaGPpic.twitter.com/DAlBzVYYnv

— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team)April 21, 2022

Not that news of Sainz’s extended stay has come as any surprise to the 23-year-old former F2 champion.

“I think it was expected in many ways,” Schumacher told Sky Germany. “Of course, Carlos did a mega job last year so he deserves it.

“For me, it doesn’t mean anything different than usual. I do my job here (at Haas), trying my best, and the opportunities will come.”

The decision to make Mick wait will certainly be applauded by AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost, who has had close connections with the Schumacher family dating back to when Michael and his brother Ralf were breaking through into F1.

Tost said recently of Mick: “He has to drive somewhere else for another three years.

“Formula 1 is extremely complicated today. A driver needs at least three years of learning to drive at the top level. A George Russell or a Charles Leclerc also needed that time.

“He first has to beat his team-mate Kevin Magnussen consistently atHaasand try to achieve success with Haas. That’s his job now and nothing else.”

Complementing Tost’s view is the most obvious target for Schumacher with the more competitive Haas car he is driving in 2022 – a first F1 points finish, which surely cannot be far away.

His next chance comes in this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.