Friday October 22, 2021
Father lived the “American Dream”
The family supports Schumacher in their second home
In terms of sport, there is so far nothing to win for Mick Schumacher in his first Formula 1 season, but personally there is. His first race in the USA is also a return. The 22-year-old knows that Texas is an important place for the family. Which of course will be there.
By Texas standards, the almost 470 kilometers from the CS ranch – CS stands for Corinna Schumacher – to the Austin race track are a breeze. No wonder that Mick Schumacher’s mother and sister Gina – both internationally successful western riders – don’t miss the trip to the US Grand Prix with Mick Schumacher. “Of course it’s nice to be here and to spend a little time here,” said the 22-year-old Formula 1 driver.
Texas, the USA – this is also a bit of a home race for Mick Schumacher, who was appointed to the Haas racing team after his Formula 2 title last year. “The team is at home here”, emphasized Mick Schumacher and raved about the “American feeling”.
His father’s American dream came true. The name Schumacher is popular, also in the USA. From a car mechanic with a rather modest background to a world star, famous and rich. Fittingly, Schumacher contested his penultimate race in Formula 1 in America, it was the premiere of the Grand Prix in Austin. That was nine years ago. Despite starting position five, the seven-time champion in the Mercedes did not get past the disappointing 16th place in the victory of the then once again unique world champion Lewis Hamilton in front of Sebastian Vettel in his 100th race.
The hope is 2022
At that time it was also known that Schumacher had bought a ranch in the north of the US state of Texas. The area in Gordonville measures 400 hectares, it still belongs to the equestrian empire of the Schumacher family, his wife Corinna and daughter Gina are enthusiastic and internationally successful western riders. Mick was just 13 years old when Papa Michael was with us in Austin. Now, nine years later, he is the name that draws. Because he also drives for the first and only US team.
In 2016, Gene Haas entered Formula 1 with a private racing team. The ambitions were high. Warm up, take off, arrive at the top. 116 races later, Haas is in last place in the constructors’ championship, Mick Schumacher is 19th of 21 drivers who have raced so far this year, and his Russian team-mate Nikita Mazepin of the same age is last. Both have zero points. The car, powered by Ferrari power, is simply too weak, eyes and money have long been focused on 2022, when the big rule reform comes.
Mick Schumacher is also confident that things will get better. In a team interview, the former Formula 3 and Formula 2 champion was approached before the US trip about earlier famous duels on the Circuit of the Americas since it opened in 2012. “I’m sure that one day we can deliver that too,” he said.
The popularity grows
He gave himself and the team a little boost of confidence almost two weeks ago in Turkey when he sensationally made it to 14th place in qualifying with the car. “We had few highlights from the track, and when something like that happens, it shows that we can make it if we have an opportunity,” emphasized team boss Günther Steiner.
Austin would be a perfect opportunity. The 5.513 kilometer circuit is, however, new racing territory for Mick Schumacher and the layout with some very fast passages is really nothing for the lame Haas. Mick Schumacher’s hopes for rain on race Sunday are unlikely to come true either, it should be hot in Texas with over 30 degrees and sunshine.
The fans, who have also become more numerous through the Netflix series “Drive to survive” with Steiner as one of the most iconic protagonists because of his curse tirades or through the documentary about Michael Schumacher, which was also recently launched very successfully on the streaming service in the USA will be happy about the good weather on “Haas Hill”.