Scuderia Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has revealed his high expectations of Ferrari Driver Academy product Mick Schumacher in his early years in Formula 1 with Haas. Mick joins the Formula 1 paddock as the reigning F2 champion on a two-year deal with Ferrari customer team Haas.
As the son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, the 21-year-old faces an uphill battle to prove he is not in the sport solely because of his name.
“I am expecting him to increase his experience of F1, no doubt, that is obvious” – the Ferrari boss explained – “I think to prove in these seasons that he is becoming faster and faster, that he is becoming stronger in terms of consistency. So I think what you are expecting from a driver is being fast in quali, being fast in the race and being consistent in the race and bringing the car home and bringing points for the team. I am really expecting him to prove how fast he is in an F1 context, both quali and race, but even more, to prove he is very strong in the race pace and consistent in terms of bringing the car home in a good position in the race.”
Throughout his junior career, especially in the F3 European Championship and F2, it has taken the second season for Schumacher to show his pace. Binotto sees no reason for this pattern to change in F1.
“I think it will be very difficult for him at the start,” continued the Ferrari boss – “If I look at his past experience, both F2 and F3, normally he is delivering his best on the second season and not his first. He is normally, compared to Charles, Charles is normally very fast since the first day. I think Mick, the way he has developed himself, he is learning a lot on the first season then becoming very strong for the second season so that’s why I think two seasons will be important for him.” – Scuderia Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto concluded.
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