FIA president Jean Todt says Mick Schumacher should be left in peace to pursue his racing career.
The 19-year-old, who won the European Formula Three championship last year, has been a focus of public and media interest as he is the son of seven-times Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher.Todt, who ran Ferrari during the time Mick’s father won five of his world titles with them, described Mick as “a simple, honest, loyal, good boy” when speaking to RaceFans and other media at the Geneva International Motor Show today.
“He’s not yet spoiled by this world, and you get easily spoiled,” Todt added.
Mick Schumacher will race in Formula 2 for Prema this year. Todt recalled how Michael had brought Mick to visit his family when he was a young boy and chased chickens around his garden.
“I am very happy for Mick Schumacher,” said Todt. “I’ve known him since a baby, I love him, he’s a great character. And we must leave him in peace.
“He’s demonstrating to be a very talented driver. On top of that he’s a very nice boy, very humble, very well-educated. So I will follow him very closely as I’ve always been doing.”
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JohnH (@johnrkh)
5th March 2019, 11:44
Yep he needs to show what he can or can’t do away from his fathers shadow.
Txizzle
5th March 2019, 12:11
Very good point JohnH, the very thing of such sports is standing on your own credits, having a career because of your name can be a real curse.
I hope he gets up to F1, and that he is given the right mental development-time (if he hasn’t already) not to succumb to the huge pressures of the sport.
baasbas
5th March 2019, 12:11
:-)
Shimks (@shimks)
5th March 2019, 12:22
Ha! Good point.
GongTong (@gongtong)
5th March 2019, 13:02
I completely disagree with this sentiment.
A double edged sword has to cut both ways. If you benefit from the extra funds and marketability, you must also suffer the extra pressure of expectation.
I agree that he should be judged as his own man, and that really we should hold all formula one drivers up against statistically the greatest driver ever, but how these guys handle pressure is part of the job description!
Mick will bring many fans to F2 and, ultimately, F1 based on his name alone. This is good news for the sport as a whole and I’m afraid I won’t be leaving him alone. I’ll be watching with interest.
Michel Boisvert (@stuckin5thgear)
5th March 2019, 13:42
Well said!
Just ask Jacques Villeneuve about the pressures of following in his father’s footsteps.
I’m sure Mick is smart enough to understand by now the pressures of being Michael’s son and the added scrutiny that comes with it.
Aleš Norský (@gpfacts)
5th March 2019, 13:28
I will follow him closely myself. He was rather an average driver until that miraculous mid-season turnaround last year. Let’s see haw can he do in F2…should be interesting.
Bruno
5th March 2019, 15:27
Vai SCM!!!
prelvu (@prelvu)
6th March 2019, 0:05
I will be watching F2 this year because of Mick
Garns (@)
6th March 2019, 10:46
I think all racing fans are keen to see how Mick progresses & its going to be hard to leave the son of a 7 x WDC alone in his progress. And as mentioned above, Todt at his best “lets leave him alone and I will follow his progress closely”
Also I think people want to see other future Superstars go up against Max. Many have said he will dominate F1 for the next decade when Lewis and Seb leave, he will do very well but there is always someone else behind you.
We have Ocon, Russell and Norris to give Max a hard time but adding Mick to this gives fans something to really look forward to- the young talent is there Liberty & FIA just need to make sure they make it that fans want to keep watching. Wheel to wheel racing is they key here I believe. Go Mick!