F1 News
Steiner names amount of damage caused by crashed Schumacher
- GPblog.com
Guenther Steiner still finds it incomprehensible that Mick Schumacher managed to crash during the first free practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix. Due to a lot of water on the track, Schumacher spun off the track and caused a lot of damage to the car, which may carry a high price tag.
Due to heavy rain, Japan saw a messy qualifying session, with several teams wanting to take little risk. After 13 laps, Schumacher went badly wrong when he lost control and his car crashed hard into the crash barrier.
The damage was so extensive that Haas F1 kept Schumacher in for the second session and the team had to work hard to get the car ready. Not only does that make the driver less able to prepare for the rest of the weekend, it also potentially brings greater uncertainty for his future.
Indeed, Schumacher still does not know whether he will be allowed to stay with Haas F1 next season. In any case, Steiner was not pleased with him in Japan. "It was aquaplaning like on the motorway. The car floated at the front and got a spin in one direction at the back," he summed it up at Auto, Motor und Sport.
Steiner balks at skyrocketing damage
The damage is additionally painful for the US formation, as it could become a hefty cost for Haas F1. "The damage amounts to half a million dollars," stressed Steiner, who saw Kevin Magnussen finish fifth twice in practice.