MOSCOW, September 23. /TASS/. FIA Formula One Team Haas has kept on board racers Nikita Mazepin of Russia and Mick Schumacher of Germany for the 2022 FIA F1 World Championship, the team’s press office announced in a statement on Thursday.
"Mazepin and Schumacher will be partnered together at the American-owned outfit for a second consecutive year and the team’s seventh season in the sport," the statement from Team Haas reads.
The news came on the eve of the 2021 FIA F1 Russia Grand Prix, which runs at the racing track in Russia’s southern resort city of Sochi on September 24-26.
Commenting on the team’s decision, Mazepin said: "I’m very excited for next year, the new car and simply just to get the opportunity with Haas F1 Team and grow together with them. I think we will come out strong next year."
Schumacher, 22, said that "By being part of the Formula 1 field, I am living my dream."
"The first year together with Haas F1 is very exciting and instructive, and I'm sure I can bring all the experience I've gained into the coming year," the young German racer continued. "New technical regulations, the impressive ambition of the entire Haas F1 team and the support of Ferrari - of course I believe this will bring us closer to the field in the 2022 season and we will be able to fight for points."
"I'm looking forward to being part of a team that is getting stronger, and I'll do everything I can from my side to move us forward," he added.
Team Haas Principal Guenther Steiner stated that: "We knew we wanted continuity behind the wheel in 2022 and I’m happy to confirm exactly that with Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin competing for Uralkali Haas F1 Team next year."
"Now as we look ahead to the 2022 season, we’re confident we can move forward as a team and give Mick and Nikita a competitive race package to make the next step in their Formula 1 careers," Steiner added.
About the team
The livery of Team Haas cars is done in the colors of the Russian flag since the title sponsor of the US team is Russia’s major fertilizer company Uralkali. The company’s main owner is Dmitry Mazepin and his son Nikita Mazepin is racing this year for Team Haas alongside Germany’s Mick Schumacher, who is a son of F1 seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher.
Russian auto racer Nikita Mazepin, 22, signed a multi-year contract with F1 Team Haas in December 2020 becoming Russia’s fourth racer to compete in the world’s most prestigious auto racing series, FIA Formula 1.
Following 14 Grands Prix this year, Schumacher is ranked 19th, while Mazepin closes out the drivers’ competition list in the last 21st place. Both drivers have so far earned zero points.