The two German drivers have a close friendship, and Vettel appeared to be bemused by his compatriot’s treatment after Haas announced they would be replacing him
Sebastian Vettel believes Haas “could certainly have done better” as he reacted to the news that his friend Mick Schumacher will lose his Formula 1 seat next year.
The team announced on Thursday morning that they will replace Schumacher with Nico Hulkenberg for the 2023 season. It comes after months of speculation over the 23-year-old’s future, and a lengthy wait for him to discover whether or not his first stint in F1 would end after two years.
Reacting to the news, Schumacher said in a statement that he was “very disappointed with the decision”. He also made it clear that he intends for his F1 departure to be a temporary one, adding: “The subject is anything but closed for me â setbacks only make you stronger.”
Speaking to Sky Germany, Vettel made clear his belief that Haas have made a mistake. More than that, he appeared to question team principal Guenther Steiner’s leadership as he criticised the decision-making process.