Fernando Alonso is confident Mick Schumacher will “show more of what he is capable of” this season, but that depends on the car Haas give him to race.
Entering his second season in Formula 1, Haas having used the first to blood their rookie driver pairing, Schumacher is hoping to get off the mark.
With Haas having spent the entire 2021 season focused on designing their all-new VF-22, the team are banking on a huge leap forward.
Already team boss Guenther Steiner has made it clear he wants points, a lot of them, and perhaps even a repeat of 2018’s P5 finish in the Constructors’ Championship.
Alonso believes in Schumacher, Haas have a driver who can do that for them – he just needs the car.
“I really like Mick,” he told RTL. “He is a very talented driver but as a person, I really like him.
“I think he had a tough first year because the Haas was not competitive at all.
“This year everything is new, the Haas could be a competitive car. If that happens, I think Mick will show more of what he is capable of.
The #VF22 is officially unveiled ✨#HaasF1 pic.twitter.com/rY7EF71qCR
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) February 23, 2022
“I think he has a great future and not because the name Schumacher is on his helmet.
“He proved in the different categories he has the talent, the natural talent. I think he has a great future.”
Schumacher won the Formula 2 title in his second season to add to his 2018 FIA Formula 3 European Championship title.
A decade after his father Michael Schumacher had scored his last podium finish with P3 at the 2012 European Grand Prix, Alonso says it would be incredible to have a Schumacher back on the podium – perhaps even on the top step.
“I think it would be very special for the sport to see a Schumacher again on the podium, or eventually winning a race, fighting for the championship,” Alonso added.
“That would be a tremendous thing and a very nice story for F1. I hope it happens soon for him and for the sport.”
Mick’s father won 91 grands prix in Formula 1 and claimed seven World titles, with Alonso the driver to end his five-year winning streak.
The Spaniard, racing for Renault, won the 2005 championship before adding a second in 2006. That season, he beat Schumacher to the crown at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix.
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