Mick Schumacher was thrilled to withstand the pressure of battling Max Verstappen during the Hungarian Grand Prix.
With the Dutchman driving a heavily damaged Red Bull after being hit by Lando Norris on Lap 1, the fight with the Haas driver was much more equal than usual with Verstappen's team even claiming Schumacher had more downforce on his car.
Despite that, the sons of former teammates Michael Schumacher and Jos Verstappen enjoyed what Mick will hope to be the first of many wheel-to-wheel duels in the years to come.
“I was not anticipating holding them for that long,” the young German admitted post-race.
“But I was glad that I was able to, and able to also get the opportunity to fight with the top guys, I was fighting with Max twice on the road, being able to build my experience, feel the pressure and not crack under the pressure.
“That was a really positive day for us in that term.
“I think it really gave everyone a bit of a light at the end of the tunnel today, obviously after a disappointing day yesterday.
“I think today was a very positive day, lots to take away from here, and I think for everybody something to look forward to once they celebrate and then come back to Spa.”
Overall, it was one of Schumacher's better races in 2021, with his first 11 Grands Prix a combination of strong speed and a few mistakes.
“I think average. I’m not quite satisfied yet with how the first half went,” he said rating his year so far via Bild.
“That’s kind of part of the rookie year. My ambitions, of course, are to do my best and get the ‘A’. But I still have to work for that.”
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Schumi Jr of course arrived in F1 to great interest as the son of a seven-time world champion and as the reigning F2 champion.
Sadly, an uncompetitive car is limiting his ability to show his potential but former driver Nick Heidfeld offered an interesting assessment of his performance.
“He’s doing a good job so far,” he told Germany's Sport1.
“You must never forget the scrutiny he is under but what I don’t like is how much protection he enjoys in the media. It’s clear that everyone hopes that the next Schumacher will be successful.
“But he makes his first overtaking manoeuvre in Formula 1 and it is hailed as the greatest thing in the world which, from the outside, I think that’s a bit exaggerated.
“That’s not Mick’s fault,” Heidfeld added. “Of course, I think it’s better to report positively than to pick on him. But of course there’s a danger that this will change at some point.”
