"I think points were possible" - Mick Schumacher disappointed after finishing P12 at 2022 F1 Italian GP

F1 Grand Prix of Italy - Previews
Mick Schumacher during the 2022 F1 Grand Prix of Italy (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Mick Schumacher believes that he could have scored a few points at the 2022 F1 Italian Grand Prix and is disappointed with his current results. The German had the slowest lap during qualifying but started the race at P17 due to grid penalties for other drivers. Schumacher himself had a 15-place grid penalty as he had changed his power unit & gearbox components.

Although he was optimistic about the race and hoped to score some points, unfortunately, it did not happen for him. Schumacher said:

"I think points were possible. It was definitely a good drive, but unfortunately we didn't really get anything out of it."

Mick Schumacher started the race on the medium compound, giving him the maximum advantage over those who pitted early. He kept that advantage until he made his first and only pit stop for soft tires.

Towards the late stages of the race, Daniel Ricciardo crashed which triggered the safety car. By this time, Schumacher was in P12 and expected to overtake a couple of cars after the restart to end in points. However, Ricciardo's car was stuck and took a long time to move away. Consequently, the race ended behind the safety car with both Haas drivers falling short of points.


Mick Schumacher believes mediums stint was the best for him during the race

For the majority of the race, Mick Schumacher was on medium tires, which proved to be essential for the German. However, the soft tires didn't come into much use for him as the race ended behind the safety car.

Schumacher felt that he was fast enough to catch others in front since they were on old, used tires, while he was on fresher tires, saying:

"We had the pace, everybody else in front was on all old tires and we had some really fresh tires. The key moment was in the first stint of the mediums and it was just amazing for us."

Schumacher's time at Haas hasn't been great. Despite that, he has managed to score points in a couple of races this year, with the first one at Silverstone, and then another amazing performance in Austria. However, there is still a lot for the German to do.

He doesn't have a contract with Haas for next year. Although there has been speculation of him joining Alpine, they seem to be shrinking at the moment. Schumacher needs to sort out his Formula 1 future soon.

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