Mick Schumacher admits he never expected to be lining up alongside Sebastian Vettel in Formula 1, as he will do in 2021.
The return of one of motorsport’s most famous surnames to the F1 grid is a story many will follow closely this year, with Mick, who won last year’s F2 championship, joining Haas.
On his path to F1, however, Vettel has been one of Schumacher’s closest confidants, and the 21-year-old opened up on their relationship, referring to the four-time world champion as his “role model”.
“We talk a lot about motorsport. I think what my dad was to Sebastian, he is for me someone that I’m close to, with whom I can talk about motorsport,” he told Germany’s Bild.
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“Of course it’s funny, now we are racing against each other. I didn’t think I would ever say that, but I’m looking forward to it.
“Seb is the one I’ve talked to the most and the one I know the best. Of course, then there are guys in Formula One who I already know from karting, but Seb I’ve known the longest.”
With Vettel offering his counsel to Schumacher, he was asked what the main advice was that his fellow countryman had given him.
“Be yourself. Trust yourself. Don’t be afraid to show yourself for who you are,” he replied.
Told about Mick’s comments, Vettel, who joins the rebranded Aston Martin team this season, spoke of his pride in seeing Schumacher reach F1.
“Well I’m flattered, obviously,” he said. “I think I will be happy to help.
“As much as it helped when Michael had some things to say when I asked and he gave me advice, I’m trying to do the same [for Mick].
“I was really happy when he got the seat at Haas,” Vettel added to Swiss publication Blick.
“A deserved promotion after his Formula 2 Championship title.
“But of course he knows himself that it’s not going to be an easy year, that he’s not going to be driving the best car in Formula 1.
“Mick can come to me at any time. I’m there for him – just as his father Michael once was for me. Now I can give something back.”
Of course, Schumacher arrives in F1 with a lot of expectation on his shoulders as he follows in the footsteps of his seven-time world champion dad.
But that is something Mick has become used to and tries to use to his advantage.
“I’ve never had a problem when my father Michael is remembered or when people make a comparison,” he said.
“The fact of dealing with an iconic figure, I believe, is an honour and a motivation.
“For me it means commitment, trying to give my best, if possible, I don’t live with this as a burden.”
