Mick Schumacher's psychological trick

When he struggles to get lapped in the lower positions, the 22-year-old newcomer simply imagines the battles for 15th or 18th place as a duel for victory. “It’s such a mental thing. I have the incentive to always give my all, in every situation,” said the Haas driver before his third Formula 1 outing in Portugal on Sunday. Even though winning won't happen any time soon, Schumacher's psychological trick seems to be working well.

The South Tyrolean Haas team boss Günther Steiner at least raves about the debutant: “A professional. As if he had been doing this for a long time. He leaves nothing to chance. I think that's beautiful and remarkable.” He has never seen Michael Schumacher's son in panic, always hard-working and focused. “He is very realistic about what is possible and what is not,” said Steiner RTL/ntv . A tough school The first two Grand Prix in Bahrain and Imola showed how little the US racing team could do this year. The Haas is probably the weakest car in the field, and a lot of luck and track chaos would have to come together to get championship points. It's a tough school for Mick Schumacher, even if expectations are still subdued. He finished 16th twice and made a mistake in the race in Bahrain and Imola. But at least: Schumacher made a better impression than his sometimes overwhelmed colleague Nikita Masepin and collected important Grand Prix kilometers. The Haas is probably the weakest car in the Formula 1 field. © APA/afp / MIGUEL MEDINA

And so the Formula 2 champion already feels like he has arrived on the biggest stage in motorsport. “It’s no longer strange for me to get into a Formula 1 car. This is my new home, I’m used to it,” said Schumacher. As on all his previous stages through the horsepower categories, the Ferrari pupil is relying on a constantly upward learning curve. “I accept any criticism, even if it is harsh. I know where I stand and what needs to be improved,” said Schumacher.

World association head Jean Todt, a close friend of the family, sees this with joy. “The facts provide the answer, of course he is making good progress,” said the FIA president Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung . Schumacher has gotten used to the pressure that has accompanied him in the cockpit since he was a child. “When you have the helmet on your head, you forget what your name is,” Todt said. In the first year he can afford to make mistakes But the grace period for Mick Schumacher won't last forever. Next year, Haas wants to attack thanks to a rule reform and will then rely on Schumacher who has matured into a leader. As a beginner, he can now be forgiven for a spin like in Bahrain or a slip into the pit wall like in Imola, but things will be different in a few months. “A Formula 1 car is faster than anything else” Mick Schumacher But there is still little to dampen the fun factor that Schumacher feels with every new step in the premier class. “A Formula 1 car is faster than anything else. You can imagine what an awesome feeling it is to sit in a car like that,” he said before the first practice laps on the rollercoaster track in the Algarve. A model student After a rather quiet start with two Grand Prix in five weeks, Schumacher now has to complete his first double pack: from Portugal he goes straight on to Barcelona. “I’m looking forward to it because it means more time with the team,” said Schumacher. Quite the model student.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Mick Schumacher's psychological trick

In his mind, Mick Schumacher is often driving at the top of Formula 1.

Suggestions

Comments (0)