Haas' Guenther Steiner has explained that his two drivers, both rookies in 2021, have now grasped the enormity of the challenge that Formula 1 represents. Both Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin have stepped up to F1 in 2021 with the Haas team, and have had varying levels of success and speed throughout the opening half of their maiden seasons. With the summer break approaching, team boss Steiner explained that he feels both drivers still have plenty of potential to show. “Both of them have realized how intense and difficult a sport Formula 1 is when you get there," Steiner said ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. "It doesn’t compare with anything else in racing and that’s why it’s the pinnacle of motorsport. That’s the personal side. On the driving side, you learn that you’re racing with the best people in the world. I think they’re making good progress but I’m sure there is more to come from them.” Haas joined in the Pirelli 18 inch tyre testing programme last week at Silverstone, with both Schumacher and Mazepin given the opportunity to drive the mule car ahead of the 2022 season. This would suggest that both drivers are being kept on at Haas for the season ahead, with Steiner explaining that it's important to get a feel for the tyres ahead of their full introduction. “With reduced testing, it’s very important. It’s a big change in general next year and we need to get our own understanding and data," he said. "The drivers need to get a taste of the new tyres, get a feeling and give us feedback of what they think. In general, even making a hybrid car, which is a converted 2019 car, obviously doesn’t come for free but it’s worthwhile to do it. "We are a serious team and this is a part of it to get prepared for the future. As we all know, we’re working very hard on 2022 to get us back to where we were - we need to do this - and it’s worth every bit of effort to get there. For the drivers to get a feel, and for the team to get some data, it’s very valuable information.”
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