Photo: Formula Motorsport Limited
Formula 2 points leader and Ferrari junior Mick Schumacher has been announced as the second driver in Haas’s 2021 Formula 1 line-up.
The 21-year-old will join F2 title rival Nikita Mazepin in an all-rookie line-up at the American team next year, and is set to contest F1 post-season testing at Abu Dhabi later this month prior to starting a multi-year agreement with the team.
Schumacher, son of seven-time F1 world champion Michael, has won twice in F2 this year and was FIA European Formula 3 champion earlier in his career after race-winning spells in ADAC Formula 4 and MRF Challenge.
“The prospect of being on the Formula 1 grid next year makes me incredibly happy and I’m simply speechless,” said Schumacher.
“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 realise my dream of F1.
“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.”
The German carries a 14-point advantage into this weekend’s F2 season finale at Bahrain, with fellow Ferrari juniors Callum Ilott and Robert Shwartzman, Red Bull junior Yuki Tsunoda and future teamm-mate Mazepin all still in title contention.
Haas team principal Guenther Steiner praised the quality of F2 when announcing Schumacher.
“I’m very pleased that we’re able to confirm Mick Schumacher in our driver lineup for next season and I look forward to welcoming him into the team,” stated Steiner.
“The F2 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 F1 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.”