Mick Schumacher turns 23: Just now, the Ferrari dream is a long way off

Created: 03/23/2022, 16:13

By: Christoph Klaucke

Mick Schumacher celebrates his 23rd birthday.

His Ferrari dream threatens to burst in view of Carlos Sainz's upcoming contract extension.

Jeddah – Mixed feelings for Mick Schumacher*: At the Formula 1 opener in Bahrain, Schumi junior achieved his best results in the premier class of motorsport with twelfth place in qualifying and eleventh place in the race.

But Mick didn't feel like celebrating, because there was a lot more to it.

Not even two days later, on his 23rd birthday.

The long-cherished Ferrari dream threatens to burst, as reported by tz.de.

Mick Schumacher celebrates his 23rd birthday - now of all times Ferrari dream threatens to burst

Mick Schumacher's way into the Ferrari cockpit seems to be mapped out.

The son of Michael Schumacher, who won five of his seven world titles in a Ferrari, is supported by the Scuderia and is an official member of the Ferrari junior academy.

Since this season, Mick has even been scheduled as a partial reserve driver should regular drivers Charles Leclerc or Carlos Sainz jr.

fail once.

Schumacher had legitimate hopes of a quick climb from the Haas car to the Ferrari racer.

Mick Schumacher has to queue up behind Carlos Sainz at Ferrari.

© James Gasperotti/Imago

Formula 1: Mick Schumacher promoted by Ferrari - Sainz beckons contract extension

"I think we're very close... very close... very, very close, extremely close.

Almost there,” explained Carlos Sainz jr.

full of euphoria at the post-race press conference in Bahrain.

With his second place he had given Ferrari a double victory.

And team boss Mattia Binotto also announced a contract extension

"We have found an agreement, now it's just a matter of putting it on paper," said Binotto.

A new contract is "pretty close to being finalized."

Sainz is said to be signing for another two years.

The contract of the first Grand Prix winner of the new Formula 1 season, Charles Leclerc, runs until 2024.

Mick Schumacher under pressure: "The higher you get, the thinner the air gets"

Mick Schumacher has to concentrate on himself in his second year in Formula 1 anyway.

The pressure is now increasing in the improved Haas car.

"The higher you get, the thinner the air gets," said team boss Günther Steiner.

"So life is."

Mick Schumacher's own demands, who has regularly made a jump in his second year, have also increased.

"In general, it was a difficult day," said Schumacher after his eleventh place in Bahrain, "I do believe that we would have had more speed." However, that was not just a suspicion, the proof came from looking at his teammate.

Formula 1: Mick Schumacher has to deliver against teammate Magnussen

It was Kevin Magnussen who redeemed Haas after a year at the end of the field, the returnee took fifth place, was the celebrated man on the US team.

"The Dane did a huge job," said Schumacher on Sky, "I'm very happy for the team with the points."

Last year, Schumi junior had the Russian Nikita Mazepin under control, now he has to prove himself against the ripped-off Dane.

But what also belongs to the truth: In the race in Bahrain, Schumacher was cleared early by Alpine pilot Esteban Ocon and fell back.

However, the 29-year-old Magnussen made the stronger impression in the third practice session and also in qualifying.

Mick Schumacher: Next chance for the first Formula 1 points in Saudi Arabia

None of this is a cause for concern, team boss Steiner made clear.

Magnussen, who has competed in more than 100 Grands Prix, “can drive, we know that.” Schumacher has to “get used to the new situation,” said Steiner, “but he will get used to it.

He'll catch up.” Schumacher has the chance to turn the tables in Saudi Arabia next weekend and score his first points.