Mick Schumacher says he doesn’t feel any pressure bringing his father’s famous surname back to Formula 1 when he makes his debut this year.
The son of seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher is stepping up to F1 this year after winning the Formula 2 championship. He isn’t concerned his father’s exceptional success will raise expectations on him.“I’ve never said that it was pressure,” the 21-year-old told media today. “I’m pretty sure I will never say it because I’m happy to carry that surname and I’m very happy to carry that name back into Formula 1.
“I’m very proud of it. It’s like a boost to me and it gives me motivation every single day to work as much as I can and work as hard as I can.”
Schumacher is a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy which has brought him into close contact with several of his father’s former colleagues, such as Jock Clear.
“I’ve been talking to him a lot in the past few years,” said Schumacher. “I think the first time I actually worked with him was in 2014, I had a sim session with him which was really funny and very interesting for me because I came from karting.
While Schumacher will race for Haas, he will continue to work closely with Ferrari, who he tested for again earlier this year.
“We have different things we’re doing together such as simulator driving, such as FDA activities. But also working with Ferrari staff.
“So definitely the connection’s there. I’m still an FDA driver so it’s great to have that backdrop and that help from the background too to help me and support me in my first F1 season.”
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minnis (@minnis)
4th March 2021, 12:10
Unfortunately I wouldn’t be surprised if Schumacher gets comprehensively beaten by Mazepin this year.
Not due to lack of talent – he has that in spades. But because if Mazepin can pay enough money to not only get a seat at Haas, have that incident practically ignored, AND have the car in the Uralkali colour scheme – I don’t for a second doubt that he’ll pay enough to get a far superior car to Schumacher.
Dean F
4th March 2021, 12:20
Are you saying Guenther Steiner is corrupt? That’s quite an allegation.
HansDampf
4th March 2021, 13:49
It’s not even the Uralkali colour scheme… Their company colors are usually red and green. It’s just the russian flag, plain and simple.
bosyber (@bosyber)
4th March 2021, 14:48
I think that you might be right for the first bit of the season especially because Mick Schumacher has taken a bit of time to get to full stride in both F3 and F2, so that might happen again, but after that, even if the car wouldn’t be the same. Though with hardly to no development going on the car (confirmed before by Steiner), cars mostly would differ by how oft used/amount of damage+repair is on parts, so that won’t be too much, and after that, while Mazepin has shown top performances, I’d expect Schumacher to start showing him up during races.
MacLeod (@macleod)
5th March 2021, 8:34
Mick is a slow starter as you said and no development on the car. For Haas is this year already gone and aiming for the 10th spot as they already aim for 2022.
Qeki (@qeki)
4th March 2021, 16:07
That would be final blow to Haas. They have something that non of the other teams have and that is Schumacher. They could benefit of that name so much. Nevertheless they have a Mazepin in that second seat but if Schumacher is going to continue with Haas in 2022 with a better car they could win some popular votes. Seeing M Schumacher’s name in the top 10 is something that will raise eyebrowns.
If they choose to keep Schumacher behind Mazepin as a 2nd driver they will lose their final fans.
spoutnik (@spoutnik)
5th March 2021, 12:25
Pretty sure Schumacher’s family is wealthy and he’s got Ferrari backing though.
Dave
5th March 2021, 13:00
So you’re saying Mick Schumacher will be one of the failed talents ever?
MCG (@malrg)
5th March 2021, 5:45
Mazapin definitely has an advantage with his Dad as title sponsor ETC. Going to be tough for HAAS to manage this from a marketing perspective. Mazapin wins = because of Money, Schumi wins – because of name. either way there will be detractors and supporters…
Mayrton
5th March 2021, 8:33
Interested to see how this Schumacher will do. Wishing him speed pace and luck. Sainz is already worried his stint at Ferrari might be short
Mark in Florida
6th March 2021, 12:32
Ferrari did send engineer’s to Haas to help with car development. I don’t think that Ferrari wants Mick in a donkey so I expect the 22 car to be decent and competitive. I believe that two agendas are at work here. Mazepin wants to buy Haas and Ferrari wants Mick. So Mazapin will benefit from Ferraris engineering expertise and Schumacher will benefit from the learning experience and become a better driver for it.