Haas F1 Boss Steiner Vows to ‘Protect’ Mick Schumacher From ‘Extreme’ Expectations
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BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – APRIL 02: Mick Schumacher of Germany and Scuderia Ferrari SF90 walks out of the garage during F1 testing in Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Mick Schumacher is set to make his F1 debut this season, driving for the Haas F1 Team. All eyes will be on the German driver as he races under immense pressure to live up to the legacy his surname symbolizes.
However, Guenther Steiner, team principal of Haas, knows that no matter how successful his father was, Mick cannot be expected to perform at that level in his very first season. Thus, the Italian laid out his expectations from the F2 champion, stating that he’d defend the latter from any unjust criticism thrown his way.
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Mick Schumacher of Germany and Prema Racing prepares for practice ahead of the Formula 2 Championship at Sochi Autodrom in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Joe Portlock – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Heavy expectations from Mick Schumacher
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Being the son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher will put some weight on the young German’s shoulders. The media will constantly compare him to his father. Thus, Steiner is well aware of the uphill battle that Mick will have to face on the grid.
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MONTE CARLO, MONACO – 2019/05/26: Mick Schumacher of Germany and Ferrari in the Paddock during the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco. (Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images)
In an interview with F1Insider, Steiner stated, ” The expectation from the media will be extreme because he is the son of the record world champion. But you can’t expect Mick to win seven titles too. I’ll protect him when it comes down to it.
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He added, “Because I am convinced that he will succeed. You just have to give him the appropriate time. This also applies to Nikita Mazepin.” (translated via Google Translate)
Not just the surname
Mick Schumacher has shown what he can do behind the wheel. He enters his debut F1 season on the back off an F2 World Championship win, and he will hope to bring some of that momentum into his debut season.
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SCARPERIA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Mick Schumacher of Germany prepares to drive the Ferrari F2004 of his father Michael Schumacher before the F1 Grand Prix of Tuscany at Mugello Circuit in Scarperia, Italy. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Schumacher is also part of the Ferrari driver academy and may follow in his father’s footsteps for driving the famous red car one day.
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Mattia Binotto, Ferrari team principal, said, ” The Ferrari Driver Academy was not created to raise Formula 1 drivers, but the next driver for Ferrari. Today it is too early to decide but there are the premises to see Mick in red in 2023.”
For now, the German rookie must fully focus on the upcoming season in F1, which starts on March 28. Time will be the judge to see if he is capable of handling the pressure that comes along with being in Formula One.
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What are your expectations from the rookie this year?
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