Mick Schumacher in F1, is it the right time?

Mick Schumacher was crowned Formula 2 champion this weekend at the Sakhir Grand Prix. In his second season in Formula 2, at 21 years old, he will make the jump to Formula 1 next season with the Haas team alongside Russian driver Nikita Mazepin. A third Schumacher will therefore race in F1 in 2021, nine years after the last F1 season of his illustrious father Michael, who competed for many years from 1991 to 2006 and from 2010 to 2012, notably winning seven driver titles with Benetton and Ferrari and his uncle Ralf Schumacher who raced from 1997 to 2007 for Jordan, Williams, and Toyota.

Formula 2 Champion

In 2020, over 24 events this season in F2, he achieved 10 podiums, including two victories. However, he did not secure any pole positions and none in two seasons during his F2 stint. His best qualifying position this season was 3rd place. He stood out more for his consistency in racing. Over two seasons in F2, he earned 3 victories for a total of 11 podiums in 46 races with the Italian team Prema Racing.

Since the beginning of his career, it is clear that he is not the fastest driver on a flying lap, with 4 fastest laps in two seasons, an aspect he will certainly need to improve in F1. Throughout his career, he has always performed well in his second season since he won his titles in the European F3 Championship and in F2 with the Italian team Prema, after a year of experience, thus demonstrating significant progress and adaptability.

Mick Schumacher vs Lance Stroll

Let’s compare the results obtained in Formula 3 and Formula 4 by Schumacher and Lance Stroll since Stroll did not compete in Formula 2. It should be noted that both were crowned F3 champions with the team Prema Powerteam. During his two seasons in the European F3 Championship, in 2017 and 2018, in a total of 60 races, Schumacher won 8 victories, all in his second season where he was crowned champion, 7 pole positions, and 14 podiums for a total of 15 podiums in two seasons. Stroll, the F3 champion in 2016, achieved that season, 14 victories; 14 poles and 20 podiums for a total in two seasons of 15 victories; 14 poles and 26 podiums in 62 races.

In the Italian Formula 4 Championship, in 2016 with Prema Powerteam, Schumacher competed in 18 races, winning 5; he secured 4 poles for a total of 10 podiums, finishing 2nd in the championship. Also with Prema Powerteam, in 2014, Stroll was crowned champion of the series. In 17 races, he achieved 10 victories, earned 10 poles, and 14 podiums. Advantage Stroll.

Will he, like his father, be able to win a Formula 1 drivers’ title in the coming years? However, he will have to contend with a new generation of very talented drivers in the future, such as Verstappen, Leclerc, Russell, and Norris, among others. It must be acknowledged that his partnership with Haas for the next two years will not showcase his talents, but he will gain valuable experience in F1. Time will tell, as he is part of the Ferrari Driver Academy. To be continued.