Formula 1 driver Kevin Magnussen thinks highly of his German Haas teammate Mick Schumacher.
“He’s a top driver. Many say he’s only in Formula 1 because of his last name. That’s not true,” said Magnussen of “Sport Bild”: “He withstood and delivered the pressure that his name brings .”
The 29-year-old explicitly highlighted Schumacher’s successes in the junior series Formula 3 and Formula 2. “He has earned his place in Formula 1. Mick is getting better every week and has already reached a new level in the first races of this season. He will be scoring his first points in the near future,” said Magnussen.
Like his father Michael, Schumacher is “very meticulous. It’s impressive to see how Mick pays attention to every little detail,” said Magnussen.
Schumacher joked with Magnussen at the first meeting
Magnussen described the relationship between the two Haas pilots as good and characterized by respect. He named the first encounter as an example: “His very first words to me were ‘Suck my balls!'”, says Magnussen. Schumacher was jokingly alluding to a conflict between Magnussen and Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg after the 2017 Hungary race.
“Mick has a good sense of humour. From that moment it was clear to me that we would have a good relationship. Mick is extremely nice and very relaxed. He doesn’t pretend and isn’t aloof. That’s not a given for Formula 1 drivers. I respect him a lot,” Magnussen said.
The Dane has been significantly more successful this season than 23-year-old Schumacher. Magnussen already has 15 points after four races, Schumacher is still waiting for the first points of his Formula 1 career.