F1 star under pressure in Miami
Own family criticizes Mick Schumacher
05/06/2022 2:04 p.m
In Miami, Mick Schumacher is hoping for the first World Cup points of his career. The pressure on the son of the Formula 1 legend is slowly increasing, because there is criticism even from his own family. Maybe that’s why Schumacher is in favor of a home race, but the USA GP is coming up first.
Mick Schumacher would like the Hockenheimring or the Nürburgring to return to the Formula 1 calendar. “Germany was part of Formula 1 for so long,” said the Haas driver before the new race in Miami (Sunday, 9:30 p.m. CEST/Sky and in the live ticker on ntv.de): “It would be fantastic to have a home race again and to drive in front of our own fans.”
Although Formula 1 is hosting 22 races this season, there is no room for a German Grand Prix – the organizers can no longer afford the horrendous entry fees. The premier class is expanding in the Arab world and in the USA, where three races will be held next year.
But from 2026 this could change again. The VW subsidiaries Porsche and Audi are aiming for Formula 1 under new engine regulations. VW boss Herbert Diess was recently optimistic that races would then be regularly held in Germany again.
Well first Miami. With Bal Harbor Beach, Surfside Beach and South Pointe Park, the city in Florida has spectacular beaches and a turquoise sea to offer. But Schumacher will hardly have time for that – he is under pressure. The new Grand Prix in the “Magic City” is what counts most for the Haas driver. Of course, “I’m most excited about the race,” he says – and is finally hoping for his first points in his career.
Criticism from Uncle Ralf
Because Schumacher still has this nasty “0” in the driver table. And that, of course, rankles the ambitious man. “It’s annoying. I want to be in the points,” said Schumacher recently. Along with Nicholas Latifi (Canada/Williams), the German is the only regular driver without a point this season. “Once he has cleared this hurdle, it will be easier afterwards,” said team manager Günther Steiner. At the last race in Imola, the chance of getting the first points was greater than ever, he started the race in tenth place after the sprint – but after two spins he finished penultimate.
“It was pretty unfortunate,” says Schumacher, but “we’re learning, we’re trying to look ahead and do better next time.” The son of record world champion Michael Schumacher has meanwhile contested 25 races. And at least in the last three he had a car that was fast enough to score points. Of course, this also increases the demands. “The midfield is tight. The higher you get, the thinner the air gets,” says Steiner.
Of course, special attention is paid to his last name, as Schumacher knows, who, after his rookie season last year, is now in a different phase of his career with less puppy protection. He had his former teammate Nikita Mazepin under control in 2021, but things looked different with Kevin Magnussen in the first four races of this season. The Dane has already scored points for the US racing team three times.
And so there are now also critical tones to be heard towards Schumacher – even from his own family. “More would certainly have been possible for Mick. All in all, it was a weaker weekend for him,” wrote his uncle, Sky expert Ralf Schumacher, in his column: “The result in the sprint was great. But there were too many in the race Mistakes. Of course, that shouldn’t happen in this form.” And: “In the next races he has to land in front of Kevin Magnussen.”