Formula 1: Schumacher name to return in 2021 with Mick at Haas

Mick Schumacher, the son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, is set to drive for Haas in the 2021 Formula 1 season.

Just one day after Haas confirmed that Nikita Mazepin is set to join the team beginning in the 2021 Formula 1 season, the sport’s lone American team have solidified their driver lineup for next year with the addition of Mick Schumacher.

They had previously announced that neither Romain Grosjean nor Kevin Magnussen would be returning to the team next year.

Mick, the son of legendary seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, is a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy and currently leads the Formula 2 driver standings with just two races remaining on the 24-race schedule.

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He leads fellow Ferrari junior driver Callum Ilott by 14 points (205 to 191) heading into the final weekend of competition at the Bahrain International Circuit outer layout this weekend.

The 21-year-old German competes for Prema Racing and is in his second season with the team in the series. He finished in 12th place in the driver standings last season with one victory after winning the 2018 Formula 3 European Championship for Prema in his second season. He also finished in 12th for the team in his rookie season in that series in 2017.

Through the first 22 races of the 2020 season, he has won twice and secured an additional eight podium finishes to put himself in position to claim the title this weekend.

Here is what he had to say about the opportunity to compete for Haas next year.

"“The prospect of being on the Formula 1 grid next year makes me incredibly happy and I’m simply speechless. I would like to thank Haas F1 Team, Scuderia Ferrari and the Ferrari Driver Academy for placing their trust in me. I also want to acknowledge and extend my love to my parents – I know that I owe them everything.“I have always believed that I would realize my dream of Formula 1. A huge thank you must also go to all the great motorsport fans out there who have supported me throughout my career. I will give it my all, as I always do, and I look forward to going on this journey together with Haas F1 and them.”"

Here is what Haas team principal Guenther Steiner had to add.

"“I’m very pleased that we’re able to confirm Mick Schumacher in our driver line-up for next season and I look forward to welcoming him into the team. The Formula 2 Championship has long served as a proving ground for talent to showcase their credentials and this year’s field has undoubtedly been one of the most competitive in recent seasons. Mick has won races, collected podiums and excelled against some pretty exceptional talent in 2020.“I firmly believe he’s earned the opportunity to graduate into Formula 1 based on his performances. We have an opportunity ahead of us, as a team, to evaluate and nurture a new driver given our familiarity with our race package heading into 2021. We are putting in place our building blocks for the continued long-term growth of the team and I look forward to Mick’s contributions both on and off the track in that process.”"

Schumacher was due to participate in his first Formula 1 test session with Alfa Romeo Racing back in October for the Eifel Grand Prix at the Nurburgring, but that did not happen because the session was canceled due to bad weather conditions.

Due to his ties to Ferrari, he had also been linked to a seat at Alfa Romeo for next year, but they confirmed that both Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi will be back for a third consecutive season as teammates next year.

Mick’s promotion to Formula 1 marks the first appearance for the famous Schumacher surname in the sport since Michael retired following his second stint in 2012.

Michael competed from 1991 to 2006, winning a record seven world championships and 91 races during that time. After three seasons away, he returned in 2010 for another three seasons. Ralf Schumacher, Michael’s brother and Mick’s uncle, competed in Formula 1 from 1997 to 2007 and won six times.

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Having confirmed both Mazepin and Schumacher to the team, Haas are the seventh of 10 teams to solidify their driver lineup for the 2021 season. Mercedes, Red Bull and AlphaTauri, the three teams to win at least one race this year, all have one remaining open seat.

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