Helmut Marko believes Nico Hulkenberg will be Haas' preferred choice for 2023, but Red Bull's motorsport boss doesn't think that would spell the end of Mick Schumacher's career in F1.
Although Schumacher's performance relative to current teammate Kevin Magnussen has improved in the second half of the F1 season, it's perhaps a case of too little too late for the young German.
Haas team principal Guenther Steiner stated recently that Schumacher still has a 50-50 chance of retaining his seat with the US outfit in 2023, but Hulkenberg is believed to have an edge over Mick when it comes to completing the team's line-up for next season.
And Marko sees a good financial reason for Haas choosing the 35-year-old veteran.
"If there was a promising candidiate for the future, I would bet my money on it. But I don’t see anyone who fits the profile, and for the team, there's a lot at stake," Marko told RTL, addressing Haas' driver options for next season.
"The difference between, for example, eighth or ninth place in the constructors’ championship is a difference of ‘X’ number of millions in terms of prize money.
"That’s why I think Haas are going for a veteran."
©AstonMartin
As Aston Martin's official reserve driver, Hulkenberg subbed for Sebastian Vettel earlier this season, In Bahrain and in Jeddah. But the German's last full season in F1 was in 2019 with Renault.
"Hulkenberg has the right look and has already proven his worth," added Marko.
"Without any testing he has repeatedly jumped into the car as a reserve driver and in that role he has always performed. That speaks for him.
"But for the team the most important question will be: who can lead the team consistently into the future?"
Should Schumacher lose his seat and be forced to spend a year on the sidelines, Marko believes that several expiring contracts could provide the young German with an opportunity to rejoin the grid in 2024.
"It is not inconceivable that he will be on the sidelines for a year as a Ferrari reserve," commented Marko.
"But several contracts will expire at the end of 2023, so there will be a few seats available."
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