Schumacher: Haas getting closer to “perfect” F1 car after Portuguese GP

Mick Schumacher believes Haas is moving in the right direction after an encouraging performance in Formula 1’s Portuguese Grand Prix.
Mick Schumacher (GER) Haas VF-21.
Mick Schumacher (GER) Haas VF-21.
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Schumacher comprehensively beat Haas teammate Nikita Mazepin in qualifying by over half a second.

The German ran well on race day, making no mistakes and overtaking Williams’ Nicholas Latifi in the closing stages of the grand prix, as the Canadian locked up and ran wide into Turn 3.

Assessing his performance at Portimao, Schumacher was annoyed not to have overtaken Latifi sooner as he felt he had the pace to catch the second Williams of George Russell.

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“We had a lot more pace it seemed, and it was unfortunate we didn’t get by earlier because I think we probably had a decent race in terms of lap time ahead of us – we’d maybe have even caught up to George or who knows,” Schumacher said after the race.

“But I feel like we’re big, big steps forward from where we were at Imola. And if we keep on doing those steps, I think we’re going to be in a very good place at the end of the year.”

While Haas currently lacks the outright pace, Schumacher thinks it is getting closer to having the “perfect” car.

“I was very surprised to see George so close to us,” Schumacher added. “Obviously started P11, I don’t really know what happened. It was quite a chaotic race to begin with. But as I said, we’re creeping up there, and getting closer every day. 

“The team is working so hard to really give us the car that we need, and I feel like with every day, we’re getting closer to have that perfect car.”

 

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