Robert Shwartzman says racing against Mick Schumacher is like racing against any other driver despite his surname.
The Russian and the German have found themselves both challenging at the front in Formula 2 this year, with Schumacher currently top of the standings after the last round at Mugello.
That has led to feverish speculation that Mick is set to be promoted to Formula 1 next year, with claims he is guaranteed an Alfa Romeo seat should he finish in the top three of the F2 standings.
But while both are challenging each other for the same opportunity, with Shwartzman and Schumacher both Ferrari juniors, the significance of doing so against arguably the most famous name in motorsport isn’t that great.
“Relaxed. We have known each other since 2018, we have already raced against each other in Formula 3,” he told AutoBild on what it’s like to partner Mick at Prema. “For me, he is a completely normal teammate although I don’t have to explain the meaning of his name to you in Germany.”
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On the track, it’s much the same story…
“He’s a rival to me like any other driver. Your own teammate is always the first opponent. He is someone I measure myself against,” Shwartzman continued.
“It’s a big challenge because he already gained a lot of experience in his second year in Formula 2. So there is a lot I can learn from him. I see Mick as a strong driver whom I obviously want to beat in the future.”
But when it comes to the bigger goal, last year’s F3 champion notes he can’t be fixated on one driver.
“It’s not just about us. Everyone in Formula 2 wants to make it to Formula 1,” he said.
“From my point of view, I just have to deliver good results and also show that I can be a team player. I’m working on that.
“I want to prove that I deserve a place in Formula 1. I see it this way: Whoever works the hardest and brings the results, takes the biggest step into the future.”
Currently, Shwartzman sits fourth in the F2 standings, 21 points behind Schumacher, but he is one of 10 drivers to have all claimed at least one victory this season.
And so while the three Ferrari juniors, the third being Callum Ilott, have got plenty of attention, the 21-year-old admits everyone is a threat.
“It’s really damn close this year. I can’t really single out any single names,” he said.
“You can see in the qualifying how close it is between us and how many different race winners we have this year. So there is no biggest opponent, everyone is my opponent on the track.”