Haas issue simple Monaco warning to rookies Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin

Haas

Haas issue simple Monaco warning to rookies Schumacher and Mazepin

Haas pair face Monaco for the first time in F1

GPFans Staff

Monday 17 May 2021 11:39

Haas rookies Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin have been issued a simple warning by team principal Guenther Steiner ahead of their F1 debuts in Monaco.

While Schumacher and Mazepin have both previously driven around the Principality in F2, this weekend will be the first time the duo have tackled the street circuit in F1.

Steiner insists that given the level of performance of the VF-21 this year there is no pressure on either driver and that the weekend should be part of their learning curve.

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To that end, asked as to what the drivers will be briefed on going into Monaco week, Steiner simply stated: "Stay out of the walls and off the barriers. That’s what we’ll let them know.

"Once you’re in the barriers in Monaco, your session is lost. You cannot get the car back and it’s normally pretty damaged anyway.

"The challenge is big. It’s a very tight circuit, it’s obviously a street circuit, and you’ve got lots of people watching – everything you don’t want on a race like this.

"On the other side, you do want it though, that’s why we’re doing it. There should be little pressure on the drivers there as we know our performance.

"They should be looking at the race just to gain experience so when they return with a better car they’ll have learned how to deal with Monaco."

Following what has been a difficult start to the season for the team, in particular for Mazepin who has been involved in numerous incidents and criticised by his peers, Steiner has declared himself satisfied with how his drivers have bedded in.

“At the moment we’re very happy with how they’re getting along with the team," he added.

"You can always get better, but we’re at a very good point, and the relationships with the people they work directly with are improving. They’ve started off on a good foot and it’s just a work in progress.

"There are a lot of people working in a Formula 1 team and the drivers need to get to know them better, especially the people that work directly with them. Up to now though it’s been very positive progress.”