Mick Schumacher has no issue taking his time to reach Formula 1 as usually, it is a “mistake” for those who rush, says Nicolas Todt.
The son of FIA president Jean is a highly respected figure in motorsport and has managed some notable drivers during his career as well as being a co-owner of the very successful ART Grand Prix junior team.
Naturally, his father’s connection to Mick’s father Michael Schumacher means he is taking a vested interest in the 19-year-old’s rise and Todt believes he is making all the right decisions on his path to F1.
“Mick does not say now or never [to reaching F1]. He knows he still has a lot to learn and he is young,” he told Speed Week.
“The goal is not to sit in a Grand Prix racer as soon as possible. The goal must be to get to Formula 1 and stay there.”
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After winning European F3 last year, some were wondering if Schumacher might consider the immediate jump to F1, instead, he has continued up the ladder to F2 with Prema for 2019.
“I think it is very important to get well prepared for Grand Prix racing,” Todt continued. “You have to prove in the junior classes that you can regularly win or even dominate. Then it’s time for the next step.
“Most drivers rush everything, and that later turns out to be a mistake.”
Todt then used the example of his highest profile client Charles Leclerc, who won GP3 and F2 before stepping up with Sauber in F1 and impressing so much he will drive for Ferrari this year.
“We were very cautious with Charles in his development,” he explained. “Maybe we could have done F1 a year earlier, but we did not want to rush things.
“Some feel crowded, they think they might miss the train. But with Charles, we wanted to make sure he was ready for it.”