Mick Schumacher says he would “give up everything” to be able to share his motorsport experiences with his ailing father, Michael.
The 22-year-old is in his first season of Formula One, having won last year’s Formula 2 title, and the 2018 European Formula 3 championship.
But those successes have taken place without his father by his side, after Michael was seriously injured in a skiing accident in 2013.
The seven-time world champion hasn’t been seen in public in nearly eight years, with his exact condition a mystery.
Speaking in the Netflix documentary, Schumacher, to be released on September 15, Mick said he would trade his success simply to be able to communicate with his father.
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“I think Dad and me, we would understand each other in a different way now, simply because we speak a similar language – the language of motorsport – and we would have much more to talk about,” he said.
“That’s where my head is at most of the time, thinking that would be so cool. I would give up everything just for that.”
Mick was just 14-years-old at the time of Michael’s accident, two years younger than sister Gina.
He looks back on those years prior to the accident with a mixture of fondness and sadness.
“When I think about the past now, the images that pop up in my head are usually of the four of us having fun,” he said.
“I see images of us driving a go-kart in the meadow. I see images of us where we’re out and about, with the ponies, sitting on the carriage. Many moments that resonate with joy.
“Since the accident, of course, these experiences, these moments, that I believe many people have with their parents, are no longer present, or to a lesser extent.
“And in my view, that is a little unfair.”
Mick has had a solid first year in Formula One, driving for the uncompetitive Haas team. While the car gives him no chance of a decent result, he’s been comfortably quicker than teammate Nikita Mazepin.
Earlier this year he drove the car in which his father made his Formula One debut, the 1991 Jordan-Ford.
He said as a youngster he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps, and not just in motorsport.
“I just have huge respect for Dad. I have always had that, he always had this presence. When he walks into a room, everyone goes quiet. That’s how I remember it. And I was also one of those who kept quiet,” he explained.
“But like I said, my hero when he walked into a room. When I think to myself, every time I look at him, I tell myself, ‘Yes, that’s how I want to be’.”
“Such strength, such total peace of mind.”
Gina also appears in the Netflix documentary, reflecting on her admiration for Michael, and noting how devoted he was to his family.
“When we went to races with them, and saw all the commotion, saw how many people thought he was great and admired him, I thought that was totally brilliant,” she said.
“Yeah, that’s my dad, and I’m really glad he’s my dad.
“The highlight was always when he came home. That was so nice, because he used to put up with us for hours after he’d got back, although he was probably very tired. But we didn’t notice that.
“We were just happy to have him home.”
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