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Binotto: F1 seat for Schumacher dependent on F2 progress

Published on 26 Jul 2020 10:02
6
By: Coilin Higgins

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has spoken on the possibility of an F1 seat for Mick Schumacher for next season, saying it will depend on his success this season in F2.

Schumacher is currently racing in F2 with Prema and is a driver from the Ferrari Driver Academy, having tested with the team last year in Bahrain, while also testing for Alfa Romeo.

Binotto noted that a drive for Schumacher will be decided upon his success and progress in F2 and that the team are clear with him on any options.

"Next year I think it is really too early to decide," Binotto said, as quoted by Autosport.

"We are really clear and fair with him: his overall performance in the championship will be important.

"So he will be in an F1 seat at the time that we believe he has done sufficient progress overall. Also, he needs simply to continue as he is doing now, and we will decide later on in the season."

Binotto praises Schumacher's recent form

With Schumacher's strong weekend during the last round in Hungary, Binotto admitted he was impressed with the son of seven-time champion Michael, but insisted it was still too early to make a decision on his F1 future.

During last weekend's round in Hungary, Schumacher managed to finish in third in both races at the circuit he took his first F2 victory at last season.

"I think that Mick is certainly doing well, and he is doing a lot better than last year," Binotto added.

"It was important for him in his second year of F2 and he is showing progress. I think that he is showing progress as well since the start of the season.

"He had some bad luck situations but if you look at his results in Hungary, he did well. So Mick is progressing which is important."

F1 News Mick Schumacher Mattia Binotto Ferrari Prema Powerteam

Replies (6)

Pistonhead

Posts: 556
What I spent get about this statement is what is NOT SAID - i.e., whose seat would he taken if he did come in - Sainz has only just signed what I thought was a multi year deal??
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- Jul 26 2020 - 16:12
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  Best case scenario, Schumacher is 3-4 years away from a Ferrari seat. I don't think he will be a superstar, so he won't be promoted to Alfa after this season. Maybe the next. Clearly, Mick is getting better that's for sure.
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  Jul 26 2020 - 19:35
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Giovinazzi's I'd say. Alfa is one of Ferrari's B-teams, they'll cave for demands to get decent pay cuts on the PU, and it's been implied that Gio is a seat warmer at this stage. Therevis of course Kimi and a potential HAAS seat in it aswell. Whether he'd get a Ferrari seat later depends on himself and how well Leclerc and Sainz (who may or may not stay, depending on how things run along) perform and enjoy their seats.
  + 0
  
  Jul 27 2020 - 06:10
JuJuHound

Posts: 352
Schwartzman is leading table, wining races, while Schumacher, being in the same Prema team is not doing that great. It's visible Mick is not ready to join F1.
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- Jul 27 2020 - 09:54
- Pistonhead
  
  Posts: 556
  So the Schumacher name remains large with Ferrari - have a feeling this will happen even if he is not a great driver.
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  Jul 27 2020 - 10:11
- JuJuHound
  
  Posts: 352
  I think they might take a risk, try him with Alfa Romeo one season, if not succeded, they will release him
  + 0
  
  Jul 27 2020 - 10:43