Ralf Schumacher has once again expressed his skepticism about his nephew Mick’s move from the WEC to the IndyCar Series. In the meantime, you shouldn’t expect the former Formula 1 driver to make a quick move.
Ralf Schumacher is dampening expectations for his nephew Mick, who is leaving the Endurance World Championship and his previous employer Alpine to start his IndyCar adventure in the USA.
“Now there’s a phase coming where he will, to put it exaggeratedly, start from scratch,” said the 51-year-old in his “Sky” podcast “Backstage Pit Lane”: “He has to fight his way into it and you shouldn’t expect too much at the beginning. I hope at least he doesn’t. If things turn out differently, it’s good. The process will take a while.”
Ultimately, it is “not that easy” to gain a foothold in a new racing series. Schumacher drew a comparison to racing drivers who had traveled from Europe to Japan in the past and were looking for quick victories there. “A lot of people have misjudged themselves. Even though I’m of the opinion that the IndyCar level as such is not a Formula 1 level – at least that’s what you’ve always been able to tell in the past when someone has tried it – it’s just as difficult to go in there and believe that you were good in Europe and can do it now.”
Mick will also have to have patience, as the change will be quite big. Nevertheless, Ralf Schumacher also added: “He has the skills for it.”
Schumacher again expresses concerns: “My attitude to the issue is clear”
At the same time, the long-time Formula 1 driver and brother of record world champion Michael Schumacher remained unenthusiastic about the 26-year-old switching to the IndyCar series at all.
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“My attitude to the subject is clear: I still think IndyCar is very dangerous. But I understand: He is young and wants to prove himself. He said that he would like to sit in a single seater, have his car all to himself and not share it with others. Then that’s the way it is,” emphasized Ralf Schumacher, who is particularly concerned about safety in the US racing series. “Because it’s a fact – at least in oval races – that the average speed is very, very high. Safety is the biggest issue.”
He now keeps his fingers crossed for his nephew. “And above all, I hope that nothing ever happens to him.”
The Indy 500 is considered the fastest and one of the most dangerous races of the motorsport year. The average speed on the oval track is around 360 km/h.