After a mixed first season in Formula 1, where he had to settle for the back of the grid because of a very weak single-seater, Mick Schumacher confided in the Frankfurter Allgemeine, a German daily. The Haas driver nonetheless draws positive lessons from this first year in F1 and shows his ambitions.
Formula 2 champion in 2020, Mick Schumacher took his first steps, or his first laps, in the big leagues in 2021. At the wheel of the Haas, the slowest car on the circuit, the young German of 22 years has everything likewise enjoyed his first season: “The cars are so much faster than in the junior categories, the speed at all levels is much higher. It fascinates me, that’s where I wanted to go. I immediately felt that I could pick up the pace. “.
Last testing, last session this year with the team. It’s been such an incredible year of learning and growing, with the best group of people. Thank you @ haasf1team, I’m so excited for our next season together # MSC47 pic.twitter.com/0Yv6OCXSB0
– Mick Schumacher (@SchumacherMick) December 15, 2021
But Mick Schumacher sometimes accelerated too much, causing 4 million euros in damage to his car. He finished the season in 19th place in the drivers’ standings, with a twelfth place as the best result, in Hungary. However, the pilot wants to be ambitious: “I reached my goal when I came to F1, now I think I can close the gap with the others […] I also want to take advantage of 2022 to apply for a great team. It’s my aim”.
While waiting to obtain a starting seat in a more efficient team, the young German driver will be a reserve driver for Ferrari in 2022, in parallel with his commitment with Haas, and will be able to replace one of the two drivers of the Scuderia s’ they cannot roll. Coming from the Ferrari Driver Academy, Mick follows in the footsteps of his father, five-time world champion with the Italian team: “I’ve been told that we are alike. I’m in awe of the energy and strength my dad used to win races and world championships. He could always be 100% focused. I really believe that I inherited something along these lines “.
And if he did not express himself on the state of health of Michael Schumacher, victim of a serious skiing accident eight years ago, Mick is delighted to have found a new adviser, in the person by Sebastian Vettel:“He helps me a lot, he’s a mentor, like my father was for him. He gives me advice, we talk often”.