2016 F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg has warned that Mick Schumacher will be under immense pressure in his debut season in the pinnacle of motorsport due to him being the son of seven-time Champion Michael Schumacher.
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Nico, who himself is the son of 1982 F1 World Champion Keke Rosberg, said he believes Mick Schumacher’s debut season will be “10 times more difficult” than that of any other son of an ex-F1 driver.
“It’s not easy to be the ‘son of,’” Rosberg said this week.
“And with Mick it’s again 10 times more difficult because Michael’s days weren’t that long ago and he was even more successful.”
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Continuing, he suggested the media and fans should manage their expectations and go easy on Mick, as it often takes time to achieve success in Formula One.
“The media attention will be great, initially probably even greater than that of Lewis Hamilton.
“I hope Mick can put that aside and concentrate well on his job – otherwise it takes away a lot of the fun.
“The media won’t give him time, but he will have to take it for himself. It takes time and patience.
“After all, I had to wait seven years to win my first race and 11 years to win the title. You have to consider that if you want to rate Mick this year.”
Mick has tended to need a year to settle into a new racing series before gunning for the Championship in his second season.
Most recently, this was the case for him in Formula Two, with him winning the title in his second F2 campaign, ahead of Callum Ilott.
Despite Rosberg and other pundits saying that Mick will face extra pressure because of his father’s legacy, the young German said it serves as a “boost” and gives him extra motivation to succeed in motorsport.
“I’ve never said it was pressure, I don’t think I’ll ever say it,” he said.
“I’m very happy to carry that surname and very happy to carry that name back into F1.
“I’m very proud of it, I’m happy to have it. It’s like a boost for me and it gives me motivation every single day to work as much as I can and as hard I can,” Schumacher emphasised.
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Mick will partner Nikita Mazepin at the Haas F1 Team this upcoming season – and although the team is expected to be towards the back of the field, fans will be eager to see who comes out on top at the American racing outfit.