Schumacher axed

MICK SCHuMACHEr is facing the sack from American team Haas, meaning the famous family name is unlikely to be on the formula One grid next season. Sportsmail understands Haas boss Gunther Steiner has decided Schumacher, the 23-year-old son of seventime world champion Michael, is surplus to requirements.

The German’s contract expires in December and talks over an extension have gone nowhere. Haas have instead installed Nico Hulkenberg, Schumacher’s 35-year-old

compatriot, as their No 1 target after he impressed as a Covid super-sub, scoring in two of his four appearances for racing Point/Aston Martin when he filled in. Schumacher has scored just twice — in Britain and Austria this year — since making his formula One debut in 2021. Although a fluid market offers Schumacher hope, one paddock source said it would take ‘a miracle or two’ for him to feature on the f1 grid next season.