Michael Schumacher’s son Mick says: ‘I had to find my own way after my father’s accident’

Last updated:Nov 9, 2024 3:05 PM IST

Mick Schumacher revealed how he had to ‘find his own way’ after his father’s skiing accident curtailed the guidance and support he once had.

F1 racer Mick Schumacher (AFP Photo)

Mick Schumacher, son of Formula 1 icon Michael Schumacher, talked about the challenges and inspirations that shaped his racing career. Mick, who has followed in his legendary father’s footsteps, revealed how he had to “find his own way” in Formula 1 after his father’s skiing accident curtailed the guidance and support he once had.

Michael Schumacher, the seven-time Formula 1 champion, suffered life-changing injuries in a tragic skiing accident in December 2013, when Mick was just 14. The accident changed their lives, leaving Mick to complete much of his professional racing journey independently. But even now, years later, Mick follows the lessons his father taught him, often recalling his father’s competitive spirit and challenging leadership.

“I was a crazy kid – everything my dad did, I did,” Mick said in the latest insights shared in Matt Whyman’s new book, Inside Mercedes F1.

“My dad was always very open to me trying whatever I wanted to do, and racing is the only thing I wanted to do because I enjoyed it the most.”

Describing the balance his father struck between encouragement and demanding excellence, Mick recounted a memorable kart race in which he attempted a daring late brake to save time. Michael’s response was not just praise, but also a challenge. “’Yes, but you should have braked like that in every corner!’ Moments like that, Mick said, taught him the importance of dedication and precision in racing. Whenever he felt like I wasn’t taking it seriously, he would say, “Mick, would you rather play football with your friends?” If so, we don’t have to do any of this. I insisted I wanted to race and he said, ‘Okay, let’s do it right.'”

However, everything changed in 2013, the year before Mick moved to the Formula classes. With his father no longer able to guide him through the crucial transition from karting to more competitive racing, Mick faced new challenges. “Then my father had an accident,” he said. “The following year I started racing in the Formula classes, and from then on I had to find my own way.”

Mick’s talent and resilience eventually led him to F1, where he joined the Haas team in 2021. He made his F1 debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix and finished 16th. Over two seasons, Mick gained valuable experience but found himself navigating the harsh realities of the sport alone.

After his spell at Haas, he became a reserve driver at Mercedes, while simultaneously pursuing opportunities in the World Endurance Championship with Alpine. He continues to use his father’s teachings and draws on the technical insights and resilience he learned from Michael.

Despite his drive and achievements, Mick’s hopes of a return to F1 in 2024 were recently dashed when Sauber, now owned by Audi, chose 18-year-old Gabriel Bortoleto over him.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – IANS)

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