Mick Schumacher is one of the most promising young drivers in Formula One, but he is also carrying a heavy burden of expectations. He is the son of Michael Schumacher, the legendary seven-time world champion who dominated the sport for more than a decade. But how close are they, and what challenges have they faced in their careers? Here is everything you need to know about the Schumacher family and their F1 legacy.
Contents
The early years: how Mick followed his father’s footsteps
Mick Schumacher was born in Vufflens-le-Château, Switzerland, on 22 March 1999. He is the second child of Michael and Corinna Schumacher, who also have a daughter, Gina-Maria. Mick was named after five-time 500cc motorcycle world champion Mick Doohan, who was a friend of his father
Mick started his racing career in karting when he was eight years old, using his mother’s maiden name Betsch to avoid media attention. He won his first karting championship at the age of six, in a kart built from discarded parts by his father He progressed to the German ADAC Formula 4 by 2015, where he won two races and finished tenth in the standings.
In 2016, Mick moved to the Italian F4 Championship, where he won five races and finished second overall. He also competed in the ADAC Formula 4 again, where he improved to second place in the standings with five wins. He then graduated to the FIA Formula 3 European Championship in 2017, where he faced tougher competition and finished 12th in his rookie season.
The breakthrough: how Mick became a champion
Mick Schumacher had a breakthrough season in 2018, when he won the FIA Formula 3 European Championship with eight wins and 14 podiums. He also made his debut in the Macau Grand Prix, where he finished fifth. He was awarded the Rookie of the Year trophy by Autosport magazine, and was named as one of the finalists for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award
Mick then moved up to the FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2019, where he joined Prema Racing, the same team that helped him win the F3 title. He had a difficult start to his F2 career, scoring only one podium and finishing 12th in the standings. However, he bounced back in 2020, when he won two races and clinched the F2 title in a dramatic finale in Bahrain. He became only the third driver to win both F3 and F2 titles, after Nico Hülkenberg and Charles Leclerc
The dream: how Mick reached Formula One
Mick Schumacher’s dream of following his father’s footsteps to Formula One came true in 2021, when he joined Haas F1 Team as a rookie driver. He also became a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, which gave him access to Ferrari’s simulator and resources. He made his F1 debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where he finished 16th and last, but ahead of his teammate Nikita Mazepin.
Mick’s first season in F1 was challenging, as he drove for one of the slowest teams on the grid. He struggled to score points, but showed flashes of potential and consistency. He scored his first point at the Austrian Grand Prix, where he finished tenth after a penalty for Sebastian Vettel. He also scored another point at the British Grand Prix, where he finished ninth after a penalty for Kimi Räikkönen.
Mick’s best result came at the Turkish Grand Prix, where he finished seventh in wet conditions, matching his father’s first points finish in F1 at the same track in 1994. He also impressed with his defensive driving against more experienced rivals such as Fernando Alonso and Sergio Pérez. He ended his rookie season with 12 points and 16th place in the drivers’ championship.
The tragedy: how Mick coped with his father’s accident
Mick Schumacher’s F1 career has been overshadowed by his father’s tragic accident that occurred on 29 December 2013. Michael Schumacher suffered a severe brain injury while skiing with Mick in Meribel, France. He was airlifted to a hospital in Grenoble, where he underwent two surgeries and was placed in a medically induced coma.
Michael’s condition has been kept private by his family since then, with few details released to the public. He was transferred to a hospital in Lausanne, Switzerland, in June 2014, and then to his home in Gland, Switzerland, in September 2014. According to reports, he has been undergoing rehabilitation and treatment at his home, with the help of a medical team and his wife Corinna.
Mick has rarely spoken publicly about his father’s accident, but he has expressed his love and admiration for him on several occasions. He has also worn his father’s helmet design and driven some of his father’s cars as a tribute. He has said that his father is his idol and role model, and that he hopes to make him proud
The legacy: how Mick carries on his father’s name
Mick Schumacher is not only the son of Michael Schumacher, but also the nephew of Ralf Schumacher and the cousin of David Schumacher, who are both former F1 drivers. He is part of a racing dynasty that has made a huge impact on the sport. He is also the first son of a world champion to race in F1 since Damon Hill, who won the title in 1996.
Mick Schumacher has inherited his father’s passion, talent, and determination, but he also faces immense pressure and scrutiny. He has to deal with the comparisons and expectations that come with his surname, as well as the media attention and speculation about his father’s condition. He has to prove himself on his own merits, while also honoring his father’s legacy.
Mick Schumacher has shown that he is not afraid of the challenge, and that he is willing to work hard and learn from his mistakes. He has also shown that he is humble, respectful, and grateful for the opportunities and support he has received. He has earned the respect and admiration of his peers, rivals, and fans. He has shown that he is not just Michael Schumacher’s son, but also a talented and promising driver in his own right.
