Ferrari are "monitoring" Mick Schumacher's Formula 1 situation as his membership of the Driver Academy remains uncertain. Schumacher was signed to the FDA - whose graduates include Charles Leclerc - in 2019, and given his first F1 test in Scuderia machinery that year in Bahrain. After a successful Euro F3 campaign in 2018, he earned FDA backing for his promotion to Formula 2 for '19. A victorious '20 campaign ensured he would make his Grand Prix racing bow in '21 with the Haas squad alongside Nikita Mazepin. However, it was reported on Tuesday that Schumacher's time with the FDA is to cease at the end of 2022. Although this does not necessarily mean he is to leave Haas at the end of the season, the move is widely expected, given the German's struggles alongside the more experienced Kevin Magnussen.
Schumacher future uncertain
After two big crashes early in the 2022 season in Saudi Arabia and Monaco, Haas boss Gunther Steiner issued a warning to Schumacher - whose performances improved thereafter. He scored his first points in Britain with eighth, and followed it up with a sixth place in Austria. However, Haas is due to run Antonio Giovinazzi in FP1 at the Italian and United States Grands Prix, with the former Alfa Romeo driver understood to be the front-runner for an F1 return with the American team for 2023. If Schumacher does leave Haas, his options to remain as a race-driver in F1 are limited. The realistic slots open are at Alpine or Williams, although the former is in negotiations with Red Bull over the services of Pierre Gasly to partner Schumacher's friend Esteban Ocon. IndyCar driver Colton Herta has emerged in recent days as a contender for the Gasly AlphaTauri seat should he move, meaning Schumacher's only option could be Williams. That team is unlikely to retain Nicholas Latifi beyond the end of the year, bringing his three-year F1 stint to an end.
What do Schumacher and Ferrari say?
Speaking to media, including RacingNews365.com at the Belgian Grand Prix, Schumacher was relaxed about his future, saying nothing had been decided. "I'm happy where I'm at, at the moment and I'm sure that I'll share [future plans] as soon as I know. "Of course we've (Schumacher and Ferrari) talked about it (his F1 future) and as soon as there's anything I want to announce, that will be announced. "Ferrari has been such a big part of my growing up, not only in the recent years, but already before, it obviously has a very special place in my heart." Haas boss Steiner also recently revealed on the RacingNews365.com podcast that contract talks with Schumacher had yet to begin for 2023, and that his staying was not dependent on Ferrari. When approached by RacingNews365.com for comment, a Ferrari spokesperson said: "Mick is part of the FDA family and we never give away details about our drivers' contract. "We are monitoring his season and will decide together what is best for him, later in the season."
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