Rosberg: It’s not easy being the son of a champion, even more so for Mick;
The 2016 World Champion hopes the media pressure won't be too detrimental to his young compatriot.
Like Mattia Binotto, technical director of Ferrari, to which Schumacher belongs thanks to the FDA, Nico Rosberg believes that the son of the seven-time world champion’s debut will be difficult, but not necessarily for the same reasons.
If there is someone who can truly understand all the attention focused on the family name, as is the case with Mick Schumacher, it is Nico Rosberg.
Arriving in 2006 as the first champion of GP2, Nico received a lot of attention in the first few weeks following his entry into F1. Son of the 1982 world champion Keke Rosberg, Nico started at Williams, the team where his father won the title, which reinforced the symbolism.
Nico had to make a name for himself in the paddock, which was difficult for a 20-year-old young man. But thanks to his excellent driving skills and good performances, Nico quickly downplayed the fact that he was Keke’s son.
With the arrival of Mick Schumacher, the 2016 world champion is further minimizing what he experienced compared to the tidal wave that the current F2 champion must and will experience.
« It’s not easy to be the son of a champion, even more so for Mick! » declared Rosberg to F1-Insider. « For Mick, it’s ten times more complicated because the era of Michael is not distant and he has had a lot of success. »
Seven years before his first victory: his example to show the importance of time
The now retired driver feels close to Mick for having worked alongside his illustrious father for 3 seasons at Mercedes.
The one who is the only one to have beaten, on equal terms, the two most titled drivers in history, Schumi and Lewis Hamilton, also allows himself a small comparison with his historical rival. For him, the media attention around Mick should certainly exceed that of the phenomenon Hamilton in his time.
At the beginning, media attention may be greater than that around Lewis Hamilton. I hope Mick will be able to set that aside to focus on his work because without that, he won’t enjoy it. The media won’t give him any time, he has to do it himself.
To conclude, Rosberg uses his personal example to show the importance of the time that will certainly be needed for Schumacher to develop and reach his highest level.
« Remember, I had to wait seven years to win my first race and 11 years to get the title. Keep that in mind when evaluating Mick this season.
Mick Schumacher will take part in his first Formula 1 Grand Prix on March 28 in Bahrain.
