Mick Schumacher expects a new Netflix documentary on his father to be “emotional” when it’s released next month.
While information about Michael Schumacher has been scarce since he suffered severe head injuries in a skiing accident in 2013, the family did support the new documentary that will look back on his Formula 1 career and includes interviews with family, colleagues and rivals as well as offering previously unseen footage of the seven-time world champion.
The release of ‘Schumacher’ was finally confirmed for September 15, after being delayed due to Covid-19, and Mick, who is now in F1 himself at Haas, offered a little preview.
“I will be part of it, I was interviewed for it, yes,” he said via FormulaRapida.net.
“I think there’s lots to look forward to. I think it’s a very special documentary and I think it’s going to be emotional for everyone who watches it.”
Schumacher. September 15. Netflix. pic.twitter.com/o7CRcfw5b6
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 25, 2021
Long-time manager Sabine Kehm also offered an insight into Schumacher himself and what to expect.
“In his quest for perfection, he spared neither himself nor his team, driving them to the greatest successes,” she said via Crash.net.
“He is admired all over the world for his leadership qualities. He found the strength for this task and the balance to recharge at home, with his family, whom he loves idolatrously.
“In order to preserve his private sphere as a source of strength, he has always rigorously and consistently separated his private from his public life.
“This film tells of both worlds. It is his family’s gift to their beloved husband and father.”
Today (Wednesday, August 25) also marks 30 years since Schumacher made his F1 debut with Jordan at the Belgian Grand Prix.
And his son Mick got the chance to drive the same car for a piece on Sky Sports earlier this summer at Silverstone.
“Driving-wise, unfortunately, I didn’t have a seat in it, only a bit of foam, so I was sliding around a lot – especially every braking I was sliding so far down I couldn’t see the track anymore – so after every braking zone I had to push myself back up to see something,” said the 22-year-old.
“It’s probably, as most people would think, it’s actually the closest in terms of how the car is to the 1994 Benetton – very few buttons on the steering wheel. It feels like a go-kart, the [191].
“You have tyres, you have an engine, you have a chassis and that’s it. Already when I drove the 2002 and 2004 Ferrari, you know, the amount of changes you can take on that steering wheel, the traction control and all those things, paddle shift, that’s very different to the ’91 car.
“But the emotions, and feeling and knowing that my dad raced this car as his first race car, is very special.”
And as for his first F1 race at Spa-Francorchamps, where Michael won six times during his car, Mick was equally excited.
“Driving my dad’s Benetton there in 2017 was a great experience. Now, five years later I’m driving in Formula 1 myself and that’s 30 years after my dad made his debut,” he said.
“It’s a really special moment for me and my family, so very happy to go there and put my mark on that special track too.
“It’s such a special track to us as a family, and to me, so I’m very happy to be able to go back there and hopefully we’ll be able to pull something out of the hat, which would be great.
“I’m looking forward to getting on to some rain again which would be nice. Obviously, if it’s dry, I’m happy to go on dry too, so we’ll just let it come our way and then we’ll see!”