Driver manager Nicolas Todt says Mick Schumacher emulating his father by driving for Ferrari would be “extraordinary” for Formula 1.
The German has recently joined the Scuderia as a member of their Academy ahead of stepping up to F2 in 2019 with Prema and is expected to drive this year’s Prancing Horse at an in-season test.
His rise over the past year, winning the European F3 title, has also caused a great amount of anticipation and interest, but Todt believes that would be nothing compared to the reaction if he did eventually make it into a race seat for Ferrari.
“Mick at Ferrari is a special story. Ask anyone in the world who Schumacher is and they can answer, and if you match that name with the word Ferrari, it’s something really special,” he told Italy’s Corriere dello Sport.
“Mick in F1 would be extraordinary not only for his family but for sport, for Ferrari, for the fans.
“Because of the affection for Michael, this amplifies expectations but the name does not make him fast. He will have to build his future himself.”
Also Read:
- Mick Schumacher opens up on following in Michael’s footsteps
- Schumacher will reach potential if ‘let to do his thing’, says Vettel
- Schumacher knows rushing to F1 would be a ‘mistake’ – Todt
Schumacher also realises he must justify his place within the Ferrari Academy and eventually on an F1 grid, that’s why he vows to continue the same approach from F3 into F2.
“We are going to keep going like we always did,” he told Mobil1 The Grid. “To keep learning is the main point of the junior categories.
“Even though we are now in F2, which is the step below F1, it is most important to take the information you can, learn and then – once you are in a position to – use it.”
Mick also revealed Sebastian Vettel was mentoring him as he continues his development.
“It’s great [that] I have been able to speak to Sebastian about it. He has a lot of experience in F1,” the 19-year-old said.
“It is always great to catch up with him and to just speak about a lot of things, not just F1 but also F2 and how to manage a race weekend.
“For sure, I’m hoping to get some knowledge about how F1 really works. I have driven the ’94 car and it’s very similar to an F2 car… It’s going to be very interesting for me to test it and feel the speed and G-forces, and to see how the car really behaves.
“But, more so, it is going to be important for me to know how to work with so many people behind me, and to understand the whole system.
“That is going to be very special and interesting because it will be new. I am really looking forward to that.”