New season, new car and new teammate for Mick Schumacher in 2022. These first races have been rather troubled for the German, who was in a terrible crash in Jeddah. Nonetheless he seems to be enjoying the ground-effect single-seaters that have made a return just this year.

“In the corners it definitely feels better, we lose less downforce. These cars have been made for that,” explained Schumacher in a session with media including MotorLat.

“In the straights you have less downforce loss if you are following. The towing is different, the DRS is a bit more powerful, it’s a bit different compared to last year.”

“You exit the corner closer, which should enable you to pass sooner into the corner on to the straight.”

More overtakes and action on track, meaning that Formula 1“is going in the right direction.”

Driving the VF-22 alongside Schumacher this year is Kevin Magnussen, a drastic change from rookie Nikita Mazepin that was on the seat last season. The Dane has been around for a while and has some years of experience in F1, as well as with the team.  

“It’s great to have Kevin as a teammate,” he said when asked whether he feels pressure sharing the garage with an experienced driver like Magnussen.

“Obviously he has been working with the team for a long time, he has gained a lot of experience in Formula 1 throughout the years. He is a very open teammate and someone I can work with. We can both benefit from each other and try to push each other to do better.”

Later in the session Magnussen confirmed to be “getting along really well with Mick,” who he believes to be a very talented driver.

“He is a good driver, he is a nice person and I’m getting along with him really well,” he said.

“He hasn’t gotten so much experience, but he is obviously very talented, he won in F3, he won in F2 and clearly deserves to be in Formula 1. He hasn’t got any points yet this year, but I’m sure it’s gonna come very soon.”