Schumacher "definitely deserves" F1 2023 drive - Magnussen

Will Gray
Friday 21 October 2022 10:36

Kevin Magnussen believes team-mate Mick Schumacher "definitely deserves" to retain his Haas seat for 2023.

Schumacher is a driver under pressure with a number of heavy crashes contributing to Haas' consideration that it may be time to part ways with the German after two years.

After ending his rookie campaign score-less, Schumacher finally broke his duck with back-to-back points finishes in Great Britain and Austria, but has since failed to add to this total.

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has refused to put a timeframe on the team's decision-making process but has hinted that the window between races in Mexico and Brazil could allow time for discussions to take place.

Schumacher has out-raced team-mate Magnussen 10-six this season - the figure two short of the total races after both retired in Monaco and the German was withdrawn from the event in Saudi Arabia.

“Mick has been really improving over the year," reflected Magnussen. "He started off not really liking the car, lacking a bit of confidence, but he has really gained that.

“Lately he has been super hard to beat for me. I think the way he is driving right now he definitely deserves a place on the grid. But I haven’t had any influence, it is totally out of my hands and I can only just wish him well.”

Magnussen hoping for Haas revival

The weekend in Austin started brightly for Haas, F1’s only American team, with the announcement of American firm MoneyGram as its title sponsor from 2023 heralding a potential new era of improvement.

The team has suffered two difficult years but Magnussen is hopeful that some developments for the team’s home race could give yield results.

“Of the new tracks, this is one of the best,” he said. “It is a very cool track, such an awesome place to drive.

"We generally are happier with high downforce tracks and this is a high downforce track, so hopefully we will be more competitive.

“I think lately some of the other teams have moved ahead of us in terms of outright performance but it doesn’t mean we can’t fight them and have a chance against them."

The team is in a battle with AlphaTauri for eighth place in the championship and Magnussen added: “It’s very tight in terms of points, even the next position up, P7, is not so much, but it is so hard for us at the moment it is going to be tough.”