Former F1 Champion Reveals His High Expectation From Mick Schumacher

Haas have opted to field an all-rookie lineup in 2021. The American team dropped long-timers Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen in favor of some fresh faces. The two drivers set to line up on the grid for them this season are Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin.

Both Schumacher and Mazepin faced off in the F2 championship in 2020. The former went on to win the championship while Mazepin ended in fifth place.

Schumacher has long been touted to join the F1 ranks. After all, being the son of a seven-time world champion, his surname was always going to get him in the spotlight. However, Mick has shown throughout his junior career that he has progressed on the basis of merit and has fully deserved an F1 seat.

All eyes will be on the young German next year. But will he be able to perform from the get go?

Mick has earned the reputation of a slow starter, someone who takes a whole season to adjust before firing in the next. Will that change this year? Jenson Button certainly seems to think so.

The former world champion said, “It’s great he is in Formula 1 and he seems like a really nice kid. He looks like a hard worker as well, so looking forward to seeing how he does.

“He’s got an interesting team-mate who has had a lot of negative press but Mick is the complete opposite to that guy I think, so I think he will shine.”

Button believes graduation to F1 must have been emotional for Mick Schumacher

Mick would have grown up hearing stories about his dad, Michael’s, greatness. He would have seen his father race and having chartered a path to live his own dream, he would have loved to have his dad beside him, sharing his joy as he moved up into F1.

Unfortunately, considering Michael’s condition, that is not the case. However, Jenson believes following his father’s footsteps would have been an emotional moment for young Mick.

He said, “That must have been pretty emotional for him when he learned he actually got the Haas drive. 

“When you are racing you just close the visor on your helmet and it’s just you, the car and the road, but it must have been very emotional thinking about his dad.

“I’m sure he would have loved to have spoken to him about that moment, but sadly I don’t think that’s possible at this moment in time.”

Nearly every F1 fan is rooting for Schumacher Jr to perform well. Will he be able to perform under immense pressure during his maiden season? We shall find out in March.