Mick Schumacher with Infobae: “No driver arrives in Formula 1 because his last name matters”

"It is an honor to be compared to my father", He says Mick Schumacher to Infobae, in a hiatus from Formula 2 pre-season training, which took place in Bahrain. The son of the seven-time world champion, Michael Schumacher, he is very focused on the pre-Formula 1 category. It will be his second season in the promotion where after a year of learning and with a win included (in Hungary), he will seek to fight for the championship, whose start (was to be also in Bahrain on March 21 and 22) it is not confirmed when it will be due to the coronavirus pandemic.

After running in his karting beginnings with the pseudonym "Mick Betsch" to avoid attracting attention and using his mother's maiden name, Schumi's son continued in the promotional categories and since 2016 joined the Prema Powerteam (at still linked), which becomes a "junior" Ferrari team. That year he lost the Italian Formula 4 title against an Argentine, Marcos Siebert. While the 21-year-old German (born 03/22/1999), after being the European F-3 champion in 2018, made his F-2 debut last year.

Mick's situation is particular. He has a very strong last name and is under the magnifying glass of all. That is why the expectation was great in the F-2 in the 2019 exercise in which, apart from his victory, he did not achieve another podium and finished twelfth in the championship running with one of the best teams. To make matters worse everything that is generated around him, since since last year the German was recruited by the Ferrari Driver Academy, the pilot development program of the Scuderia. In fact he tried one of the red cars and another of Alfa Romeo.

In the management of this interview, only five questions were allowed. The Kaiser's son (whose news about his real health is still scarce) faces his challenge to fate. That challenge of being able to debut in F-1 in 2021 and continue doing his sports campaign with his own name. This year will be key for him.

–Why didn't you end up in a better position in the Formula 2 championship?

-In general, I'm happy with how the season went. Our data showed that there were only three races in which we did not have the rhythm. But most importantly, I have learned a lot from 2019, especially in terms of tire management, which is probably the most crucial part in F-2. I am sure that the experience I have had throughout the season has helped me to be a better race driver. In 2020, however, not only do I want to keep improving, but I also want to be able to fight top F-2 riders.

– In what does the surname Schumacher favor or harm you?

-I am aware that if I want to become a Formula 1 driver, I have to perform well in junior categories such as Formula 2. No junior driver reaches F-1 because their last name matters. That is not a guarantee.

"Do comparisons with your father bother you?"

-Not at all. My father is, in my eyes, the best racing driver of all time. If people compare me to him, I am very proud.

-If you debuted in Formula 1 today, are you ready to compete in the category?

-That's something I don't think about right now. I fully focus on the 2020 F-2 season, which is very important to me. What happens after that is something we can discuss at some point in the future.

-How do you imagine the day of your debut in Formula 1 and your father watching you on television?

-As I said before, right now I focus completely on F-2. This is the challenge that I am taking right now and I want to do well. I can't wait for the season to start.

At the moment Mick Schumacher must continue waiting. In the meantime, his goal is clear: his sights are set on standing out in Formula 2 and then seeing if he can make it to F-1.