Nowadays, all Formula 1 drivers are measured against incredibly high standards. However, where there’s a risk, there is also a reward. Red Bull’s activity in the driver’s market is a good example. The team has recently replaced drivers mid-way through the season but has also rewarded Max Verstappen with a mega contract.
The Red Bull world champion is the most successful driver in Dutch history and is already a much more successful driver than his father Jos Verstappen. Unsurprisingly, there are other drivers who are feeling the brunt of the father-son comparison.
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A great example of that is Mick Schumacher. The German is in the second full season of his F1 career with Haas and is yet to secure a drive for 2023. Fans are all aware of the incredible achievements of Mick’s father Michael Schumacher. So comparing the young Schumacher with the seven-time world champion just adds more pressure on him.
F1’s sporting director and the mastermind behind Michael Schumacher’s seven championships Ross Brawn pointed out exactly that.
“Max’s big advantage over Mick is that his father was also a hero in the Netherlands, but he didn’t win, wasn’t world champion seven times, and isn’t an icon like Michael in Germany,” he said. (Translated by Google)
Read More: Max Verstappen’s Father Takes a Subtle Dig at Red Bull Racing
However, the young German knows how to deal with the pressure. “Mick is very mature and able to deal with these emotions,” testified his race engineer Gary Gannon.
Both Mick Schumacher and Max Verstappen are of similar age but are at completely different stages in their career. Weirdly enough, an old interview of Jos Verstappen with Michael Schumacher might’ve predicted it.
Max Verstappen and Mick Schumacher’s fathers talk about their kid’s careers in an old interview
In an eerie coincidence, when asked for their reaction to their kids choosing to race in F1, the two former teammates had completely different answers.
Jos Verstappen pointed out that both Mick and Max will compete if they grow up to become F1 drivers.
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Surprisingly though, Michael Schumacher said, “But I think horse riding or golf is a much better sport for our kids.”
Jos, on the other hand, said, “For me if he really wants to — I will help him whatever he wants to play.”
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An innocent approach to an interview has after all these years become the narrative of the contrasting careers of Max and Mick.