Schumacher should learn Haas fate in a week says Steiner

Mick Schumacher should know next week whether he will be replaced by his F1 team Haas for the 2023 season, team principal Guenther Steiner told AFP on Saturday. 

Haas are the last team to finalise their line-up for next season, and there have been multiple reports that Steiner could turn to 35-year-old Niko Hulkenberg instead of the son of the former seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher. 

"Hopefully, we can close it all off and make our decision in the next week," Steiner said ahead of the launch event for next season's Las Vegas Grand Prix. 

After next weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix, the season concludes a week later in Abu Dhabi, with testing at that circuit in the following days after the race. 

"We are getting closer because the season is almost over. It would be good if we get decided on a driver before we go testing. After Abu Dhabi, there is a test, and you want your driver in who is going to be racing next year," he said. 

Steiner said the decision was not dependent on the 23-year-old Schumacher's performance in the final races. 

"It is not about one race anymore. I'm not a guy who says, 'if you do one good race or one good test, then you get a seat.' 

"That would be too simplistic, that was maybe done 20-30 years ago, these days you have to see the big picture," he said. 

"The sport is getting more and more complex. You need to see what is best for the team to take it forward, where do we want to be? What we want do? Then it's a decision (about) is Mick experienced enough with two years under his belt to take the team forward? Or do we have to bring someone in who is more experienced, that is the big question," he said. 

Schumacher ended his debut season in F1 in 19th position and without a point and currently