Carrying the name ‘Schumacher’ was never going to be easy for Mick Schumacher. The legacy Michael left is massive. Not just for his son to match, but for anyone who aspires to compete in F1. Ever since joining the grid through Haas in 2021, Mick was under a lot of pressure. While the car did not have much for him to prove his talent with, he was able to outscore his teammate Nikita Mazepin. However, once seasoned campaigner Kevin Magnussen joined the team, things went awry. Resultantly, the German lost his seat to Nico Hulkenberg, only to join Mercedes as a reserve driver. If former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is to be believed, things would have been a lot different if his father was there to guide him.
While the lack of point-scoring ability was worrisome, it was Mick’s habit of crashing the car too often that bothered the team a lot more. Haas, being an arguably cash-strapped team, cannot afford too many of them. Therefore, the decision to let him go to make a place for a reliable driver like Hulkenberg was the most obvious choice.
In a recent interview with Sport Bild, Ecclestone said, “With Michael as a consultant at his side, Mick would be a regular driver in the cockpit of a good team.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“With all his experience, Michael could have given his son so many details. He would have shown him the right way, in terms of driving, but also politically.”
Read More: “Psychopath” Max Verstappen Faces the Wrath of Fans for Lifeless Choices: “Serial Killer Vibes”
Ecclestone, who is known for speaking his mind without caring too much, took a subtle dig at Ferrari for the situation Schumacher Jr. has found himself into.
Bernie Ecclestone believes Red Bull would have taken better care of Mick Schumacher
When it comes to scouting talent at a young age and nurturing them to compete at the highest level, no team can match Red Bull’s model. The biggest testament to their success is Max Verstappen himself, who joined their junior team, Toro Rosso, as a 17-year-old. Mick, however, is a product of Ferrari’s driver academy, and if Bernie is to be believed, he would have been better off with Red Bull.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“He was on the wrong team,” he said. “Red Bull would have been better for him.”
“There they would have cared more for him and built him up,” he added.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch This Story: Inside Michael Schumacher’s Car Collection
Ecclestone also blamed the burden of the name ‘Schumacher’ to be too heavy to carry. He feels it will be very difficult for Mick to find a cockpit for himself, one which can win him races.