Mick Schumacher has spoken about how he handles the relentless speculation over his Formula 1 future while trying to finish the season strongly.
This campaign is the German's second in F1, but there is a chance it may also be his last. His contract with Haas expires at the end of this year, and the team has been in no rush to make a decision over whether or not to offer an extension.
With Haas now the last team on the grid to confirm their 2023 driver lineup, the speculation has only increased. But despite all the talk, Schumacher says he has been able to block out the noise and focus on trying to deliver the results his team needs in the final few races of the year.
"Well, it's not difficult – I'm here to do my job," he told reporters. "And I'm here to do it well. So that's what my main focus is on. And that's everything that I'm in control of. So, I'm just trying to do my best and, yeah, that's what I'm here for."
In terms of rivals for his seat, Haas have been quiet regarding speculation. But veteran racer Nico Hulkenberg, who last held a race seat at Renault in 2019, is understood to have been among the front-runners if the team chooses to bring in a new face.
Team principal Guenther Steiner has made it clear on several occasions that he will not be rushed into a decision. But in an interview with Mirror Sport this week, he hinted he may be close to making up his mind.
"We will get to a decision, hopefully soon. But nothing is decided 100% yet," said Steiner. "We are just going through the last details of what we have to sort out, and then we will make a decision. It's a job I need to do. When it's done, it's always nice to tick things off the list.
"When you get something done you can then focus on the next thing. This is an important decision for the team, and there is enough to focus on [elsewhere] to get better."
Haas sit eighth in the constructors' standings after a much more promising year than in 2021, which saw them fail to pick up a single point. They are only one point ahead of AlphaTauri in the standings, though, and so Steiner's main focus is upon trying to make sure they hold on to what they have.
