Schumacher "home advantage" key in Haas contract race

Sam Hall
Friday 14 October 2022 20:08

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has revealed the advantage Mick Schumacher holds over rival candidates to secure an F1 race seat for 2023.

Only Haas and Williams are yet to complete their driver line-ups for next season, with both teams having a single seat available.

Schumacher is the current incumbent alongside Kevin Magnussen at Haas but his future has long been uncertain, with a number of early-season crashes drawing heavy criticism from Steiner.

Ahead of the team's home race at the United States Grand Prix, a press conference has been called with speculation quickly rising as to the topic.

Veteran drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Antonio Giovinazzi have both been linked with the seat.

Asked if Schumacher's development with the team is a factor in the decision-making process, Steiner said: "Absolutely.

"If you're working with somebody for two years, that is an advantage. The incumbent has always got an advantage. It's home advantage.

"If you can have somebody you've worked with for two years, it's better than bringing in somebody new because they don't have to learn.

"That's why we brought Kevin back. Obviously, he was out for a year but he knows everybody, and that's always an advantage when you start from somewhere."