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'Wasn't aware': Mother's major reveal amid Mick Schumacher struggle

Mick Schumacher, pictured here in action at the Styrian Grand Prix.
Mick Schumacher's mother Corinna told his Haas boss about the troubles with his seat. Image: Getty

Haas boss Guenther Steiner has revealed he found out about a problem with the seat in Mick Schumacher`s car only after the German rookie`s mother Corinna told him about it.

Schumacher, the son of the Ferrari great and seven-time world champion Michael, told reporters at the Styrian Grand Prix that he had been sitting 'crooked' since the start of the season.

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He was seen on camera showing the problem to four-time world champion and compatriot Sebastian Vettel after the French Grand Prix.

"Because Sebastian looked in the car it was made a big story out of it, which I'm fine with," Steiner told reporters.

"But I wasn't even aware until his mum told me about that, so it cannot be this bad.

"We will make him a seat as soon as he wants one, and when he thinks we are in the right position to do so."

Schumacher, 22, said the problem was not a major concern.

"I’ve been sitting in a crooked position since the beginning of the season," he said.

"Like, the seat is central but I am not straight.

"It’s a small offset, it’s something that I’ve been used to, let’s say, also in junior categories. And to be fair it doesn’t harm me in any way when driving."

Schumacher has endured a tumultuous start to his F1 career, currently sitting third-last in 18th spot in the driver standings.

He has been lapped in five out of six races so far this season, with his best result a 13th-placed finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Schumacher's father Michael suffered devastating head injuries in a skiing accident in 2013, with the exact nature of his current condition still largely a mystery.

Michael and Corrina Schumacher, pictured here at the Spanish Grand Prix in 2004.
Michael and Corrina Schumacher at the Spanish Grand Prix in 2004. (Photo by Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Max Verstappen secures pole for Styrian Grand Prix

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen nabbed his second pole position in a week after storming to the front for Sunday's Styrian Grand Prix.

The championship leader finished 0.194 seconds ahead of Valtteri Bottas, with rival Lewis Hamilton back in third in Saturday's qualifying.

Hamilton will be promoted to the front row however, after Bottas was bumped back to fifth after he was penalised for his bizarre pit-lane spin on Friday.

Lando Norris continued his fine season by grabbing fourth for McLaren and will take advantage of Bottas' penalty to move up one spot on the grid.

But his teammate Daniel Ricciardo's struggles continued as the Australian failed to make it to Q3 and will start 13th in Sunday's race.

Ricciardo has scored only 34 points compared to Norris' 76 this season and has been out-qualified by his junior teammate in five of the last six rounds.

"It has been a very good weekend," said Verstappen, 23, who completed a practice double at the Red Bull Ring on Friday.

"Again in qualifying the car was good to drive. It is not easy to deal with the traffic to get a clean run but the first lap in Q3 was good enough in the end.

"I am super happy to be on pole at Red Bull's home race. It will be very tight tomorrow. It is never easy and hopefully it will be as interesting as it was last weekend in France."

with AAP

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