The 24 hours of Le Mans are considered the highlight of the year, the dream of many racing drivers and as the most prestigious car race in the world. Not so apparently with Mick Schumacher, who surprises with a sober statement: “For me, this is a race like any other,” says the Alpine pilot.
“I love Spa, I love Sao Paulo and Suzuka. These are my three favorites that are on the calendar,” reveals Schumacher, who has never been a big fan of the LE MANS classic. “Of course we don’t have Suzuka with us now, but we have Sao Paulo and Spa. That’s why I’m looking forward to the two as much as on Le Mans.”
However, the 26-year-old feels some anticipation: “Of course I’m looking forward to Le Mans because the team is looking forward to it and that tears you away, but in the end it is not the big, special race for me.” Statements with which the former Formula 1 driver surprises before this year’s classic.
LE Mans victory more important than World Cup success?
Schumacher can only understand the big hype around the race to a limited extent. “This is something that I had never taken through. Last year it was the first time,” the German recalls his Le-Mans debut in the previous year, which ended early after engine damage.
“For me it is always the case that you showed it to everyone when you win the championship,” says Schumacher. “Here it is the case that you showed it to everyone when you win Le Mans.” Means: winning the long-distance World Cup is less important than the triumph in Le Mans.
“Therefore, the approach is a little different,” explains the 26-year-old. “The mindset in the team is also different. It takes a little getting used to for me.” Also, expectations on the Sarthe are always slightly larger than in other races.
The target is “the big goal” in Le Mans
“Of course you have to say fairly that it was our first year last year,” recalls Schumacher, who also doesn’t like to drive in the dark. “This year is of course to be expected with much more experience.” Nevertheless, Alpine does everything as it was tackled last year.
Only with one difference: “Hopefully we will also experience the end of the race this time,” grins the Alpine pilot, who, despite his apparently lacking enthusiasm for Le Mans, has the success: “Of course, this is the big goal for us to see the target flag.”
However, a sure -fire success does not. “A 24-hour race is not easy, it is a heavy route and a super close championship at the moment,” emphasizes Schumacher. “So you can assume that it will of course also be a super tight thing in Le Mans.”