Mick Schumacher has revealed he wanted his timing screen name abbreviation to be ‘MSC’, the same as his father Michael Schumacher used.
The Formula 2 champion, who will make his Formula 1 debut with Haas this month, was previously assigned the abbreviation ‘SCH’, based on the first three initials of his surname, as is common practice across the grid.His seven-times world champion father’s abbreviation was ‘MSC’ for much of his career, to distinguish him from his brother Ralf Schumacher, who he competed alongside for several seasons.
The 21-year-old’s abbreviation was changed to ‘MSC’ ahead of pre-season testing. “I wanted ‘MSC’,” said Schumacher today. “It’s an emotional bond I have to it.
“I think it’s quite nice for everybody watching the timing screens and seeing ‘MSC’ back on the screens as well.”
“I learnt a massive amount of new things which were all positive,” says Schumacher.
“Being able to get those those laps under my belt – I’ve done over 80 laps today and obviously compared to 15 laps yesterday, that’s quite a big difference. And it really gave me a new way of seeing F1 and understanding driving on track.”
After clinching the Formula 2 title in Bahrain in November, Schumacher says that driving a Formula 1 car around the Sakhir circuit is a much more enjoyable experience.
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“It’s a lot of fun driving here in a Formula 1 car,” he says. “It’s amazing how quick it is
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[/CBC]“Being able to push so hard and rely on the rear and really feeling the grip the changes in the setup. There are a lot of tools that you can use to improve the driving on track instantly. So that’s pretty positive for me coming from Formula 2, where you basically had nothing to to change.”
Despite the limited testing before the start of the season, Schumacher says he already feels ready to race.
“I’m just really looking forward to driving more tomorrow. The race can’t come quick enough
“I’m really looking forward to to the season. I would love to drive every day. I could put another eight days in and just go straight into the race weekend.”
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Jere (@jerejj)
13th March 2021, 19:58
I understood that he didn’t want the abbreviation to be MSC, but I guess that was incorrect.
Robbie (@robbie)
13th March 2021, 20:39
I was not a fan of his Dad whatsoever, but I do think this is a lovely sentimental touch for Mick to, I assume request, and be granted by F1, given the tragic situation with his Dad.
Silfen (@silfen)
13th March 2021, 20:42
The Chinese dragon with the 47 (a slight variation to the Chinese sign for power) on his helmet is also a reference to his father.
HUHHII (@huhhii)
13th March 2021, 21:09
Why are drivers even being given a choice? FIA has standards, so let’s just follow them.
If I’ll make it to the F1 I definitely want my initials to be A followed by two S’s. It’s an emotional bond.
JB22
13th March 2021, 21:22
And why is that even bothering you? LMAO. It’s not like anybody is going to have a hard time recognizing Mick now on the timing sheets because his name abbreviation changed from SCH to MSC.
twisted sis
13th March 2021, 21:56
I don’t think it’s the best thing for him, personally. He’s not his father, and he doesn’t need the comparison. It’s bad enough that Michael already gave him his own name which i always think is just an ego trip. I’m hoping he’s going to escape from the over-coached smile-on persona he’s been dressed in, and over time develop his own individual self.
Serg (@)
13th March 2021, 22:47
Michael Schumacher himself used the same abbreviation during the Mercedes days of his career (with Ralf not taking part in F1), so I do not think there should be any obstacles for approval for Mick.
twisted sis
14th March 2021, 8:46
Well that’s a separate issue, whether FIA should allow it. I’m regretting that Mick is doing his F1 so much in his father’s footsteps, when everyone knows who the legendary MSC was and it’s not Mick is it. It’s very unlikely that Mick will be quite as good, and so it’s not the best thing for him to be ‘son-of’ more than he has to be. Just imo, but I’d rather he was trying to be himself as his own person, and leaving the MSC undiluted in history.
Qeki (@qeki)
14th March 2021, 9:19
I already forgot that @serg33 but as (almost) every driver has a favorite number MSC stands much more for Mick than three random letters. I’m not even sure if there is a rule that your three letter abbreviation must be the three first letters of your surname.
glynh (@glynh)
13th March 2021, 21:57
As long as it’s consistent and is recognisable as the drivers name I can’t see a problem when they pick their own abbreviation. In this case there’s also a chance we’ll see another Schumacher in the sport anyway.
Oople
13th March 2021, 23:59
Agreed. There should be some freedom in abbreviations, with limits of course (and the ASS comment above is clearly not within limits).
It’s also the same with JEV for Vergne in FE.
Obviously VER would have been his default, but since he’s commonly known as JEV anyway, it makes sense he’d be allowed that abbreviation.
And let’s be honest, it’s not something that most drivers will concern themselves with anyway, so why not give the opportunities to those that it will make a difference for.
Balue (@balue)
14th March 2021, 6:48
Not a good idea
Dave
14th March 2021, 8:20
Wait for his cousin David…
ColdFly (@)
14th March 2021, 9:38
I wonder what they’ll do when the 27th family member enters F1.
Mayrton
14th March 2021, 9:44
Or his cousin Victot
Deepak Nana
14th March 2021, 17:26
I would have not expected anything else…
MSC is back! Step 1 done