Schumacher Haas · 'I Maxed Out,' Says RaceFans.

Mick Schumacher reacted with dismay to the news of Haas’ impending departure, saying he had gotten “the most” out of his car this season.

The team that the second-year driver has competed with for the past two seasons is being dropped by Haas, in favor of the experienced Nico Hulkenberg. Schumacher heads into this weekend’s final round of the season in Abu Dhabi, half a point behind team-mate Kevin Magnussen.

Schumacher believes he has been driving well in recent months, but says he “respects” his team’s decision not to keep him for 2023.

“Of course it’s disappointing in some ways, because I feel like I’ve been doing a good job up to this point,” Schumacher said. “On the other hand, the team decided to go that way, so I have to respect that. Now my focus is on the future.”

Although he didn’t score his first points of the season until mid-year at Silverstone, Schumacher said his results in the second half of the championship were looking positive.

“We’ve definitely had our ups and downs, but I think the trend is always pointing up,” he explained. “I think that’s what’s important.

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“It’s only my second year in Formula 1 – last year, I don’t even know if you can count it as a year because obviously it was a tough time, we were just behind. So it was definitely something I had to get used to, being in a midfield fight.

“I feel like we’ve been able to do that throughout the year and I feel like I’ve made the most of every situation, let’s say. So I feel like the trend is there.”

Asked what his target was for his final race with the team in Abu Dhabi this weekend, Schumacher said his aim was simply to “finish high”.

“I have high expectations for what we can do,” he said. “We have a car that is close to P10 or maybe a little bit lower. But if we get everything right, I’m sure there is potential to be in the points.

I think that’s what we’re still aiming to get a lot of points from. [as possible] Because we are in a tight battle with Alfatauri. And for me, in the driver’s seat, I want to be as far forward as I can.

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