Formula 1

Schumacher misses Monaco qualifying after practice crash

by Scott Mitchell-Malm
2 min read

Formula 1 rookie Mick Schumacher will miss Monaco Grand Prix qualifying after his heavy crash in final practice.

The Haas driver lost control through the right-hand Casino Square corner in the first sector and smacked the barrier with the left rear of his car, which brought the front left round and into the wall as well.

It caused extensive damage to the VF-21, which cannot be repaired in time for qualifying.

Mick Schumacher Haas Monaco Grand Prix practice crash 2021

Haas ruled out Schumacher’s participation in qualifying barely half an hour after final practice ended, saying that chassis damage evaluation was ongoing. The FIA has confirmed Haas will be changing the car’s gearbox, which guarantees a five-place grid penalty – though given he is missing qualifying this penalty only becomes relevant if others receive penalties too.

Schumacher, the reigning Formula 2 champion, had experienced a more positive final practice session before the crash, which was his second incident of the week.

Mick Schumacher Haas Monaco Grand Prix practice crash 2021

In Thursday practice he ran wide at Massenet, the corner before Casino, and hit the wall with his right rear, which caused a puncture and damage that meant he had to stop the car later in the lap.

That compounded a difficult opening day in Monaco, where team-mate Nikita Mazepin had looked stronger.

Schumacher had started to re-establish the advantage he has enjoyed over Mazepin so far this season in FP3 and was quicker than his fellow F2 graduate until the crash.

But the error and the subsequent consequence of missing qualifying means Schumacher is set to start a race behind Mazepin for the first time this year.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • More Networks