Mick Schumacher crashed at Turn 12 during Q2 in Saudi Arabian GP qualifying; Schumacher said to be "physically fine" but airlifted to hospital for "further precautionary checks"; Haas will just run one car during Sunday's race with Kevin Magnussen
Sunday 27 March 2022 07:39, UK
Mick Schumacher will not take to the track for Sunday's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix following a high-speed crash during qualifying, Haas have announced.
The team will just run one car during Sunday's race with driver Kevin Magnussen starting on the grid in 10th.
Schumacher was airlifted to hospital for precautionary checks following a scary high-speed crash during Saudi Arabian GP qualifying.
He lost control of his Haas car through a high-speed section on F1's fastest street track during Q2 and slammed sideways into the barriers at Turn 12 at around 170mph.
The German, son of Formula 1 legend Michael, remained in the cockpit afterwards but was conscious and speaking to doctors before being taken in an ambulance to the medical centre.
Schumacher was then transferred to King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital in Jeddah for precautionary checks, but was released a few hours later and returned to his hotel.
The driver posted a photograph of himself on Saturday evening and thanked supporters for their messages, insisting he will "come back stronger".
Speaking to Sky Sports before Schumacher's release from hospital, Haas team principal Guenther Steiner insisted he was comfortable with running only one car in Sunday's race.
He said: "We have decided not to field his car tomorrow. Kevin, having not done a lot of practice yesterday, I think he did a fantastic job today getting into Q3.
"His last run was not as planned but I think that was down to not having enough time on track. We're still happy with Q3 and P10 tomorrow."
Following the conclusion of qualifying, Magnussen shared the relief he felt for Schumacher.
"I've heard Mick is uninjured which is good and incredible when you see the crash that he had, but the safety is so good with these cars with the fact that you can walk away from a crash like that, it's impressive.
"I think he was having a great qualifying session up until that point and he was up for a good result, so he'll just need to come back and get on the horse and bounce back. We have to be happy with Q3, but the car was better than P10, I didn't get the most out of it."
Sky Sports F1 is your home for every race this season, and it continues with race day on Sunday.
Coverage is live on Sky Sports F1 from 4.30pm with lights out at 6pm and as always you can also follow online on the Sky Sports App.
Jenson Button, Paul Di Resta, Anthony Davidson, Johnny Herbert, David Croft, Simon Lazenby and Natalie Pinkham will bringing their expert insight and analysis.
* indicates simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event.
Sunday, March 27
2.30pm: Formula 2 Feature Race
4.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Saudi Arabia*
6pm: THE SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX
8pm: Chequered Flag: Saudi Arabia*
9.30pm: Saudi Arabian GP Highlights
