Mick Schumacher has "fingers crossed" over gearbox after crash reaching Q2

Schumacher, Haas, France — Photo: © LAT Images

French Grand Prix

Schumacher has "fingers crossed" over gearbox after crash reaching Q2

Schumacher triggered red flags to give him a maiden Q2 appearance

Ewan Gale

Saturday 19 June 2021 19:15

Mick Schumacher has his "fingers crossed" that he will not need to change his gearbox after crashing out of French Grand Prix qualifying.

The German reached Q2 for the first time in his fledgling F1 career, albeit ending the first session in the barriers on the exit of turn six having lost the rear end under acceleration.

His performance means Haas has reached Q2 for the first time this season, a record that will stand despite Schumacher failing to turn a wheel in the session.

Article continues under video

The Haas driver, however, relayed his fear that he may be forced to the back of the grid if a new gearbox needs to be fitted to his car.

"Right now, we are not able to access the car or start building... change any parts on the car," said Schumacher.

"So we will have to wait and see for a bit longer, but I cross my fingers that it will be fine."

Schumahcer crash a combination of wind and good exit

The red flags caused by Schumacher's off were the second of Q1 after AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda crashed at the start of the session.

Providing an insight into the crash that ruled him out of participating in the second session, Schumacher explained there was a multitude of influences as to why the car turned around so rapidly.

"Looking at the data, it looks like it was a combination of a few factors that led to it snapping so quickly," explained Schumacher.

"It was partially because I had a very good exit out of turn five and into turn six, which was basically that I carried a bit more speed through and the wind conditions had changed a bit also in that particular moment.

"All of those things combined basically equalled in the rear snapping and therefore it was very hard for me to react to it.

"Looking back at it, I always think I could have done something better, after the car has spun you can always try and manage it in some ways but to be fair, I think things happen so quickly, especially at that speed, it is very hard to judge where the wall is and what to do in what moment.

On the pace in the VF-21, he added: "I think we had a car that was very good, had very good potential and felt very good to drive and also that reflects in the position we are in right now."