Schumacher Haas contract hold up explained

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has confirmed the three-way nature of Mick Schumacher's F1 contract is to blame for the delay in locking the German into a 2022 seat.

When announced as a 2021 Haas driver at the end of last year, it was stated by the team that Schumacher had joined on a "multi-year agreement".

As a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy [FDA], however, the arrangement is not as straightforward as with some other drivers, such as Schumacher's Haas team-mate Nikita Mazepin.

“There are a few things which just needed to be sorted out," said Steiner. "It’s a three-way contract obviously because he has got a contract with Ferrari.

“There need to be a few t’s crossed and a few i’s dotted and then we will get there."

Schumacher was also asked to clarify his contract situation due to the rumours of a switch to Ferrari-powered Alfa Romeo.

The German said: "We have the summer shutdown coming soon and that is really when I will be completely on that and will focus on that.”

Referring to the comments of his driver, Steiner added: “Mick is right saying it is not signed but there is an agreement in place.

"But because of the three ways, it is always more difficult than a straightforward one-to-one contract.”

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