Schumacher would have been "ready" to start in Saudi F1 GP

Mick Schumacher says he would have been able to take part in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix had his Haas Formula 1 team opted to build up the spare chassis for him.

Mick Schumacher, Haas F1 Team addresses the press

The German had a huge crash in Q2 in Jeddah, and was taken to hospital for precautionary checks. He was released shortly afterwards without any injuries.

Haas decided to withdraw Schumacher from the race, team boss Gunther Steiner saying "it doesn't make sense" to build up a new car and start from the pitlane given that parts are in short supply ahead of the Australian GP in a fortnight.

But speaking in the paddock on Sunday afternoon, Schumacher said he would have been ready to race if needed.

"Yeah, I'm for sure ready, or I would be ready to go racing," he told selected media, including Motorsport.com.

"It's just component management, car parts in general, we have to see and look after that we are surely able to race in Melbourne.

"I knew that it's race two, spare parts are usually quite difficult at this time of year. So I kind of figured that might be difficult, but nonetheless, I was hoping for a race today."

Once I lost the rear, I knew what was coming

Mick Schumacher

Schumacher didn't appear to be moving straight after the crash, but said he was just composing himself as he waited for the marshals to arrive on the scene.

"I was 100%. It was mainly frustration, and me being annoyed by the fact that this happened, and obviously just reflecting on what I'd just gone through, and what I could have done better," he recounted.

"I think that I just wanted to make sure before I started moving erratically around that everything is fine. And obviously, all the marshals and also the doctors came by and made sure that I was all fine.

"It was a big one. From what I heard, we were like around 270 km/h when I did hit that wall. I think in a road car, that wouldn't look quite well. But I mean, luckily, the cars are so safe these days that I was able to walk away from it and stand here with no issues.

"Let's say it like this, once I lost the rear, I knew what was coming. So I could prepare for it."

Schumacher's Haas was all but written off in the incident

Schumacher's Haas was all but written off in the incident

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Schumacher lost control over his car by running over the Turn 9 exit kerbs, which almost caused a similar shunt for Alpine's Esteban Ocon.

He thought the lack of rake on this year's cars means it is easier to bottom out the rear end of the car over high kerbs. 

"From what I remember, last year it was less of a concern just because of the way the cars were built, we had a very high rake, the rear of the car was usually quite up in the air," he explained.

"Nowadays, the cars go pretty low, especially on this circuit. So the moment you do hit this kerb, which is quite high, the rear tyres is lose contact to the surface.

"That means that there will be a snap of some sort. And we saw that I think also from a few other drivers in Q3, where they had a close moment.

"And I think it's something definitely that people will have to revise and see [if it needs] to be fixed, if we come back here."

shares
comments

Related video

Russell: P5 only realistic target in "knife-edge" Mercedes

F1 drivers want more changes to 'on the safety limit' Jeddah circuit

Is this F1's most underrated driver of 2023?

Is this F1's most underrated driver of 2023?

Prime
Prime
Formula 1
Spanish GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

Is this F1's most underrated driver of 2023? Is this F1's most underrated driver of 2023?

Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Prime
Prime
Formula 1
Spanish GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked

Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked

Prime
Prime
Formula 1
Spanish GP
Alex Kalinauckas

Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked

How F1 teams manage the punishing reality of F1’s relentless schedule

How F1 teams manage the punishing reality of F1’s relentless schedule

Prime
Prime
Formula 1
GP Racing

How F1 teams manage the punishing reality of F1’s relentless schedule How F1 teams manage the punishing reality of F1’s relentless schedule

Why handling misfortune well could make Red Bull invincible in 2023

Why handling misfortune well could make Red Bull invincible in 2023

Prime
Prime
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Jonathan Noble

Why handling misfortune well could make Red Bull invincible in 2023 Why handling misfortune well could make Red Bull invincible in 2023

How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14

How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14

Prime
Prime
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14 How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14

Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate

Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate

Prime
Prime
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Alex Kalinuackas

Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate

Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Prime
Prime
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Subscribe