Sebastian Vettel has put forward his pick to replace him at Aston Martin, no surprise as the German wants to see Mick Schumacher take his seat.
Vettel shocked the paddock on Thursday when, as the sport prepared for the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, he announced this season would be his last in Formula 1.
The four-time World Champ cited time with his family and being there for his children as the main reason for calling it quits.
Aston Martin, having previously stated that they had no B-plan after Vettel, will now begin their search for a new driver.
Vettel has already put forward his pick.
“Well, obviously, I spoke to Lawrence and told him that I’m not going to continue,” Vettel said as per The Race. “We did have a very, very brief chat about what might be next.
“I do have my opinion.
“I think very highly of Mick. I’m not entirely objective because I’m very close to him. But I do think he’s a great driver and is a learner.
I’m so sad that you’re leaving, but at the same time excited for you and this new chapter of your life. You’ve been and still are such an important person to me and I’m thankful for our friendship. pic.twitter.com/1iFmlxxgyQ
— Mick Schumacher (@SchumacherMick) July 28, 2022
“He keeps learning when others stall or stop making progress. He does have qualities but he’s also very young still, he doesn’t have a lot of experience.
“I don’t know, it’s not my decision. If I’m asked I will give my opinion and not hold back. But in the end, the team will have to make that decision.”
Schumacher, who scored his first F1 points at the British Grand Prix and followed that up with another top ten in Austria, is out of contract with Haas at the end of this season.
But a member of Ferrari’s young driver academy, they too have a say in his future.
Asked if he was open to replacing Vettel, his mentor, at Aston Martin, the 23-year-old said: “Obviously, there is still lots to do here so that is where my focus lies at the moment and what the future brings, we will see.
“Never say never, but obviously, my focus is Budapest right now.
“Ferrari is full and here [Haas] is not. What happens, we will see. Again, if there is anything that we have a feeling that we need to share, we will share it at the right moment.”
Should Schumacher head over to Aston Martin it will continue his relationship with team owner Lawrence Stroll, a man he has know pretty much all his life.
“I have known them for a very long…
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