Mick Schumacher: “I want to fight ahead this season”

First of all, in this context of the Covid-19 pandemic, how are you and where are you?

I am well, thank you very much. Like probably most other pilots, I'm stuck at home waiting for this to end.

We're starting to get to know you well as a pilot, but in everyday life, what type of guy are you?

I exercise a lot to make sure I’m fully prepared for race weekends. It’s an important part of the job when you’re a pilot and I always want to make sure I’m in the best physical condition possible.

Back to the race. How do you rate your first season? Formula 2 ?

I’m very happy with how the season went. There were some very good races and I'm not just talking about the victory in Hungary. There was also Austria and Baku, where our race pace was extremely good. So whether in terms of pure performance or experience gained, it was a valuable year in my learning, even if the results did not always show it.

How did you feel after this first victory, won in Hungary?

I was obviously very happy to win because I had to defend my first place throughout the race. Behind me, the other drivers were putting a lot of pressure. It was a very difficult race, but the victory was all the more beautiful! I especially thought about the fact that the team deserved this success for all the efforts made throughout the year.

It must be said that you were quite unlucky with five withdrawals…

Mechanical problems are an integral part of our sport and they happen from time to time, so you have to learn to live with them. But it is clear that I hope that we will be a little luckier this season.

What are your goals for 2020?

More than an objective, I would say that there is an absolute watchword: progression. I want to continue to improve as a driver in all areas of my sport. In terms of pure results, I want to fight ahead this season.

Robert Shwartzman, FIA champion F3, will be your teammate this season at Prema. What relationship do you have with him?

As you said, we have known each other since F3 Europe (2018. Ed.) where we already teamed up at Prema (Schumacher had been titled, Shwartzman finished 3rd. Editor’s note). I think our relationship proved that year that we could help the team progress. Robert is a very strong driver, and I hope we can push each other to achieve big results.

Having Shwartzman as a teammate, who is a driver with full confidence, is still quite a challenge...

Honestly, it is very difficult to know who will play up front this season. The Formula 2 grid is extremely competitive and there are a lot of very talented drivers, of which Robert is obviously one.

Who is your favorite for the title?

It's impossible to say. The competition between the different teams promises to be very close, and most of the drivers have already proven in the past that they are capable of fighting for podiums and victories. I think it's going to be very exciting to follow, in my opinion.

Do you think that after your 12th place last season, 2020 will be a pivotal year for your future?

Personally, I consider that in terms of promotion formula, there are only important years. Every year counts and you have to prove each time that you are capable of being fast.

In F3 Europe in 2017, your first year was quite difficult (12th in the championship), before you won the title the following season. What did you do differently during your second season to be able to get the crown?

The most important thing in my opinion is experience. As far as I'm concerned, it's even more true. This was already visible in Formula 4 where I was able to improve significantly during my second year in the category. When you know the car, the team, the circuits and the whole process, it helps a lot. Even though we haven't had an F2 race yet in 2020, I felt much better than last season during the Bahrain test at the beginning of March, because I knew exactly what awaited me.

Do you think that, like in F4 and F3, you will be able to progress enough to win the title?

There is no guarantee of this. I just hope that there will be a progression, yes, but I cannot yet know the proportions.

You drive at Prema but are above all a driver Ferrari. How important is the Academy?

She is very important. Ferrari makes a lot of effort to help its young drivers. I am very happy and grateful to be part of the Ferrari Driver Academy. I have no doubt that it will benefit me enormously in the future.

You are five drivers from the F2 grid to be part of the FDA (with Giuliano Alesi, Callum Ilott, Marcus Armstrong and Robert Shwartzman). Is this additional pressure?

You know, there is always pressure in motorsport, so no, I would not say that there is more or less pressure in relation to that.

La Formula 1, is that the goal for next season?

I'm totally focused on Formula 2, because if I'm not, I won't be able to perform this year. But of course, my ultimate goal is to become an F1 driver. But it's not time to think about it yet.

In Bahrain last season, you tested behind the wheel of the Ferrari SF90, finishing 2nd behind Max Verstappen. How did you feel that day?

It was a truly special moment and definitely one of the highlights of my career. It was my first time driving a modern F1 car and I was very impressed by the power and downforce of the machine. The promotion formulas are far from slow, but the difference with F1 is immense. It was really crazy.

Naturally, you are often compared to your father, Michael. Is this something that annoys you?

No, it's the opposite. I feel really honored. Because in my eyes, my father is the best driver of all time.