The absence of Nikita Mazepin means Mick Schumacher is "in a much better spot" than he was last season, according to Haas chief Guenther Steiner.
The Russian racer partnered Schumacher in 2021 as Haas chose to go with two rookies for the campaign. But their car was far too uncompetitive for any positive results, while the two youngsters also clashed and did not get along.
Since Mazepin was axed on the eve of the current season in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he was replaced by Kevin Magnussen. In the Dane, Schumacher benefits from a much more seasoned racer from whom he can learn.
And Steiner said as much himself when assessing the German's development this season. In referring to the benefits Magnussen brings to his development, the Haas chief said Schumacher was "lucky" to now have a more appropriate team-mate.
"It's the best thing that could have happened to him," Steiner told The Red Bulletin . "He was very happy when I told him that we had signed Kevin, because Kevin is very collaborative. He looks after him, he tries to help him when he can, and he's not trying to fight him.
"Mick is very lucky to have a team-mate like Kevin. He can learn from him as a person, as a driver and by looking at his data. Mick is in a much better spot than last year. Having Kevin here, there is no negative... except having Kevin here!"
After a long wait for points, Schumacher recorded back-to-back finishes in the top 10 at Silverstone and in Austria. Before then, there was pressure after two large and expensive crashes, while the Haas boss was slammed by some for his vocal criticism.
But Steiner defends his actions and believes there would have been no benefit for Schumacher if he had done otherwise. He added: "Look, I can't just say: 'Oh, it was great that he crashed into the wall'. Why? Because we didn't score any points and he didn't progress as a driver. It's no good.
"I'm a little bit more outspoken than most people, a little bit more direct, but who cares? If you have a problem with that, then just don't speak to me. There's so much interest in what Mick is doing because of who he is, but to me he's just like any other driver. It has to be that way."
