Sakhir (dpa) – After the chaos weeks with his Formula 1 team Haas, Mick Schumacher distracted himself with squash. Before the start of his second Formula 1 season, the son of record world champion Michael Schumacher undauntedly unwound his training schedule and also found time to relax in Bahrain.
After a year of driving behind in the lame Haas, the 22-year-old has to take the next step. “We have everything that will hopefully bring us up front and consistently into the points,” said Mick Schumacher.
Haas is considered a surprise package
This season is a huge opportunity. Formula 1 has radically revised its technical regulations, which should make the Grand Prix more exciting and deliver unpredictable results. After the test impressions, which are always vague, Haas is even considered a surprise package.
Despite the dilemma of Russian dependency and test delays, Schumacher and his racing team are confident. “In general it’s very positive. But we have to concentrate on making it to the end of the race,” said Schumacher, formulating a minimum requirement. Ferrari’s new engine is also “a good step forward, it feels good.”
Schumacher learned a lot in his debut season. Even if he never saw himself as a beginner. “I don’t feel any different. I didn’t feel like a rookie last year either,” said Schumacher, who wants to celebrate his points debut this season. “I felt very comfortable in my own skin.”
Schumacher in the process of maturing after his apprenticeship
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In addition to the experience from 22 Grand Prix, there are also the vibrations from the environment. After the Russian attack on Ukraine, Haas parted ways with second driver Nikita Masepin. The US team cut ties with the Russians as well as Russian title sponsor Uralkali. Haas then started the tests in Bahrain late because of freight problems.
Such hurdles also help in the maturing process. “Now there are expectations, also for yourself,” said Sky TV expert and uncle Ralf Schumacher before the start of the season on Sunday (4 p.m. CET / Sky) in Sakhir, where his nephew finished a year ago as a debutant and was 16th. “You have to perform.”
New teammate in the racing team
A racer’s first reference is always their teammate. After the separation from Masepin, Schumacher has to stand up to the Dane Kevin Magnussen, who drove for Haas from 2017 to 2020. “I feel good and know what I can do,” assured Schumacher. “That’s why it doesn’t intimidate me.”
Schumacher wants to learn from Magnussen – the 29-year-old in turn proves to be a fair stable rival. “It’s important to understand that you can benefit from each other but at the same time fight for the same points,” said Kevin Magnussen.
His father Jan Magnussen used to be active in the premier class of motorsport. “He grew up with racing blood. I know what that means,” said Kevin Magnussen about Schumacher.
Empathy is nice, but Formula 1 is still a cut-throat competition. “Kevin is a tough racer, but that’s good for Mick,” said team boss Günther Steiner. “It will help him in his development.”