Ralf Schumacher takes another dig at Haas after Mick moves to Mercedes

Ralf Schumacher could not resist another dig at Haas following Mick Schumacher’s move into a reserve driver role at Mercedes.

似乎几乎没有在F1比赛的周末过去了2022 without a member of the pro-Mick camp criticising Haas, more specifically Guenther Steiner, for the way he treated his now ex-driver with Ralf going as far to say the team boss must have had “something personal” against his nephew.

Haas’ decision to let Mick Schumacher go at the end of the season in favour of the returning Nico Hulkenberg for 2023 would have done nothing to warm up the frosty relationship between the two camps and Ralf has continued to make that very clear even when assessing Mick’s new chapter at Mercedes.

“I think it’s a win-win situation for both sides,” Ralf Schumacher told Sky Germany.

“One, for the team they have a great driver, if they need a replacement short term, if one of the drivers for some reason can not drive.

“And the next is of course that he is now in the team where he can learn a lot, first of all through a new structure, a big structure.

“For me, I think it’s a great opportunity because he now has an experienced team, with two experienced team-mates, and above all, for a change, a team that is happy that he is there.”

Even though Mick will be spending much of his time within the Mercedes garage, Ralf thinks this move could also open up potential opportunities with Mercedes’ customer teams as well – although that would likely be with either Aston Martin or Williams rather than McLaren, who have a comprehensive driver programme across multiple disciplines.

“I think that’s also the strength that Mick can have, to step in there and step on the gas,” Schumacher added.

“However, please do not only think ofMercedes, there’s nothing wrong with that, but at some point there could be a problem for Mercedes-operated teams and then they could turn to someone who is fresh from the season and knows all the tracks and knows all the handling with the cars.”

Ralf Schumacher need not worry any more, Mercedes will look after Mick

The increasingly bad tempers from the Mick Schumacher camp towards Haas won’t have done anything to help Mick’s cause in keeping his race seat for a third season, but those accusations of bad treatment won’t continue on now he has landed a reserve driver role with Mercedes.

Ralf only needs to look at the incredibly strong bond Toto Wolff has developed with seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton over the years and also how he supported Valtteri Bottas, ensuring that he found himself another place on the F1 grid before he even considered promoting George Russell up from Williams.

Even though the Schumacher name is synonymous with Ferrari, Michael’s early impact on Mercedes as they looked to establish the name in Formula 1 (even if the raw race results didn’t reflect it) has never been forgotten and, out of respect for his father, Mick and the rest of his family can rest assured he is now in very safe hands.

If Wolff can even go as far as helping Mick return to the grid in 2024 with another team, that will only enhance his reputation as someone who really does put his drivers first and himself second.

Read more: Toto Wolff on why it was the right time for Valtteri Bottas to leave Mercedes