F1 legend's son Mick Schumacher leaves family and friends "emotional" after podium tribute
Formula 1 legend Ross Brawn said Mick Schumacher’s celebrations after winning his maiden F2 race in Hungary reminded him of the Ferrari junior’s father Michael Schumacher.
Brawn, longtime F1 technical director, has been credited as one of the masterminds behind Michael’s seven world championship titles with Benetton and Ferrari.
He said seeing Schumacher junior securing his first F2 win at the Hungarian grand prix on Sunday was an “emotional” and “important” moment.
“I wasn’t at the track, but it was an emotional moment seeing him raise his arms to the sky, and I can’t deny that it reminded me of his father, Michael,” Brawn said.
“Mick had to fight for the win and avoid making mistakes as he was harried all race long by Nobuharu Matsushita. The victory comes after a rather unlucky first part of the year and this will give him more confidence in his own abilities.”
Brawn acknowledged the wide attention that the Prema Racing racer is drawing.
“The younger Schumacher’s efforts have captured the imagination of media all around the world and show how much the Schumacher name still means and how much attention it can generate.
“Mick still needs to be allowed to progress calmly in order to see where he fits in this competitive world of talented youngsters, but yesterday’s win was an important moment: there’s a long way to go, but he’s on the right road.”
According to Motorsport, Mick’s podium celebrations were observed by his mother, grandmother and sister, as well as Ferrari team leader Mattia Binotto and Michael’s manager Sabine Kehm.
After the race, Mick was asked what it was like to win at a track where his father had triumphed during his F1 career.
“It is very special in general,” the 20-year-old said. “And thinking back to last year and my first win [in European F3] in Spa, a track that my Dad was very comfortable at too.
“The crowd here are incredible too so that made it more of an enjoyable race.
“In general, I am very happy for it to be here and not Spa because that would be one [round] later. I think the earlier the better, and just happy with the win now. I’ll celebrate with my family.”