Sebastian Vettel expects Mick Schumacher to bring a “big boost” for Formula 1 in Germany.
The four-time world champion has struggled to capture the hearts of his homeland despite his achievements during his F1 career.
Indeed, while this is the first time the German Grand Prix has taken in consecutive years since 2014, its future beyond this season is uncertain with no contract in place.
And when asked his opinion on the future, Vettel wasn’t particularly enthusiastic.
“It’s normal I think that the biggest hype was when Michael (Schumacher) started winning as he was the first German to win the championship,” he said on Thursday in Hockenheim.
“I think being the first is always more momentum and more interest, but the interest last year proved there is still very much an appetite for racing.
“But I also feel the German crowd is a very fair, direct and honest crowd, so maybe some things that have happened in our sport didn’t help the popularity.”
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Should the race fall off the calendar though, the 32-year-old doesn’t think it will be for long should the next generation Schumacher make his way through.
“To have Mick on the doorstep of Formula 1 and hopefully one day joining is huge and hopefully a big boost for Germany,” he said.
“On top of that, despite the name, he is a nice guy so I think our fingers are crossed for him. Hopefully, he gets the chance one day, does well, and brings some more enthusiasm.”
Despite that, Vettel insists the only criteria by which the current F2 driver should reach F1 is his talent and has sent a strong warning.
“I think it’s crucial that he is given the time he needs,” Vettel stressed.
“I think it’s fair to judge him and his racing like every one of us has been judged and will be judged.
“But it’s not right to measure and compare too much to others and his father, it’s a different time, different racing.”
Schumacher will be at Hockenheim completing a demo in his father’s 2004 Ferrari, partly to capitalise on the interest his F2 seat had created for 2019.
