Schumacher relief as Haas take "big step forward"

Mick Schumacher has praised the "big step forwards" taken by Haas on day two of F1 testing after reliability issues had hampered the team's start to pre-season.

Schumacher completed a full grand prix distance of 66 laps at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya on Thursday, comfortably beating the miserable combined total of 42 he and Haas team-mate Nikita Mazepin managed on day one.

"To have more than 50 in the morning today was already a big step forwards and I think we are learning with every lap," said Schumacher.

"I can say that we are feeling more and more comfortable. We still have to find some stuff, we still have to go through some stuff but nonetheless, driving is the way to do that so as long as we are on track I think we are all good."

The new generation of F1 machinery is utilising downforce generated primarily from ground-effect technology which is a huge departure from last year's cars.

Asked how the cars feel compared to those of last year, Schumacher explained: "It didn't feel too bad. I think it was, for me at least, positive. I like the feeling.

"Obviously, there is no reason for me to think otherwise because that is how we drive and that is how we will race so I do the best with what I have.

"Hopefully we will find some more downforce and some more points here and there to be very competitive.

"You have to adapt a bit to it, just go with how the feeling is in the car but on the other hand, I don't necessarily compare it too much because we are not going back to the old car."

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