Formula One F1 - Tuscan Grand Prix - Mugello, Scarperia e San Piero, Italy - Former Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher's son Mick Schumacher poses by Ferrari engineers and staff before the race REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini/Pool
Schumacher Warns Against High Expectations For Mick Schumacher’s F1 Debut
Only a few days stand between Mick Schumacher and his first F1 practice debut. The young driver will certainly have been dreaming of this day. More so, since Ferrari’s announcement of handing out opportunities to some of their academy’s jewels.
As part of his F1 training, Mick has been undergoing a series of different tests and procedures to help gain a rough understanding of the Alfa Romeo car. More recently, he even got a seat fitting done at the team’s Hinwil headquarters.
On a track which is most certainly famous for some of his father’s victories, it will be an emotional and proud moment for Mick as he takes to the field at Nurburgring. As it will most rightly be, for the entire Schumacher family.
Mick Schumacher is ‘extremely well prepared’
And a member of the Schumacher family will be cheering on Mick ahead of his big day – his uncle, Ralf Schumacher. He has been a constant source of motivation for young Mick and a vocal supporter of him getting the chance to drive an F1 car.
Speaking in his featured column on Sky Sport, he stated, “All eyes will of course be on Mick and his ride in the Alfa Romeo next Friday. For Germany, it is incredibly emotional to see a Schumacher in F1 again. I can understand that completely.”
FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 – Tuscan Grand Prix – Mugello, Scarperia e San Piero, Italy – Mick Schumacher drives the Ferrari F2004 of his father Michael Schumacher during a display run before the race Pool via REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini/File Photo
“The most important thing is: Mick is extremely well prepared for Formula 1. Ferrari is doing a great job with its juniors. It will be a special moment to see him in the F1 car, especially at the Nürburgring. It will be great for Mick in particular.”
“But you shouldn’t forget that the Alfa isn’t exactly a top car. So you shouldn’t expect too much either.” (translated by Google Translate)
Tapering down expectations for Schumacher is important
One needs to remember that this will be the first time Mick would be driving a Formula 1 car. All this while, he has been driving in the karting and lower levels of open-wheel racing.
But now, he will be racing with the big boys. The top motor sport class that many young drivers dream of.
Formula One F1 – Russian Grand Prix – Sochi Autodrom, Sochi, Russia – Prema Powerteam’s Mick Schumacher celebrates winning the formula 2 race on the podium Pavel Golovkin/Pool via REUTERS
It will hence, be unfair to judge Mick Schumacher based on his practice debut with Alfa Romeo. Unwarranted pressure and criticism are always unwelcome for a young driver, trying to make their mark in the big leagues.
Therefore, everyone watching the Ferrari academy driver, need only appreciate his driving and skills. And not emphasize on what all the driver could do in the future.
After all, as has been rightly said, it has been some time since a Schumacher drove a Formula 1 car.
Hailing from Bengaluru, Bhargav is an F1 and NASCAR author for EssentiallySports. He is a huge fan of Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing. Bhargav also has an MBA in Sports Management from the Symbiosis School of Sports Sciences, Pune. Bhargav is quite a genius in his field, having won the All-India Marketing Case Study Competition 2015. He also loves to combine his love for marketing and sports by taking part in competitions like Knockout: Sports Marketing Case Study by IIM Ahmedabad.