Patience is being urged with Mick Schumacher, as he prepares for a difficult first Formula 1 season with Haas.
Naturally, as the son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, expectation and anticipation are high for the debut of the 21-year-old.
And after winning a highly competitive F2 championship in 2020, four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel is sure Schumi Jr is ready to make the step up to F1.
“Mick is a great kid, a very quick learner, very mature for his age and I think he will do a very good job,” the Aston Martin driver told RTL.
“He didn’t somehow sneak his way in, he fought hard for it and deserves his place.”
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At the same time, with Haas set to be at the back of the grid after not developing their car and the weight of carrying the Schumacher name, Vettel says the German should be given some leeway.
“For his first year, you shouldn’t expect too much but just let him do his thing. You can really trust him in that,” he explained.
“Of course, Mick is very close to my heart and if I can help him in any way, I will do so.”
Also warning people off making immediate comparisons between father and son is Mercedes chief Toto Wolff.
“Of course he steps into incredibly big shoes. Michael is an icon – not only in Formula 1 but also beyond,” the Austrian commented on Sky Deutschland.
“Mick doesn’t always have it easy to be compared. He is a young man who knows who he is and can call upon his past achievements in Formula 2 and Formula 3. That is why I see his future very clearly in Formula 1.
“Now, first and foremost, you have to leave him alone and not always compare him, but also allow these years of learning at Haas and whatever comes afterwards,” he added.
“If he develops well, he of course also has the opportunity to sit in a really strong car in the future.
“I would wish for him and his father, the family and Sabine, that Mick will one day be able to drive for victories and also for World Championships.”
As for Schumacher himself, he admits his opportunity to follow his father is a dream come true.
“Obviously now being one of the 20 drivers in Formula 1 is very special,” he said via Formula1.com.
“As a child, I’ve been dreaming about this for 15 years – and now it’s actually happened. It’s emotional and just something very nice.
“My father actually had his first race in Formula 1 30 years ago this year – that makes it even more emotional and even nicer,” he added.