The future for Mick Schumacher

Is there too much pressure on Mick

The name Michael Schumacher is synonymous with Formula One, for an era of dominance and to many, the greatest driver in Formula One History.

While this may seem like an overstatement to some, even his biggest critics will accept, statistically he was one of the best and won many of his later championships with ease. However; like a royal family, his kids will be compared to him. This is where Mick comes in. Mick has so far had a fairly successful karting career, having come 2nd in a World Karting Championship One off Race recently. He also competed in the European Karting Championships and German Karting Championships.

Moving in Formula Racing, he will enter the inaugural season of German F4 (ADAC F4) and will race for Van Amersfoort Racing, the same team that Max Verstappen drove for in European F3 last year. As for the series itself, it joins a world wide roll out of the F4 concept that is being run in many countries including Italy, Japan, UK and Pan-America, in order to give a better place for drivers to enter out of Karting.

But, this may be a new problem for Mick. While he has always had his pedigree weigh down on him, he has competed under his mothers name and "Mick Junior". I don't know what name he shall have for Formula Racing, but one thing is for certain; he will be more scrutinised. While Max may have proved that he can handle the pressure at a young age, what about Mick. Will the bad results get to him? Will he be good enough for F1? Is it fair to compare him to F1 drivers at this point in his career?

Britain's Enaam Ahmed

I talk about comparing him, but what about his rivals. He lost the European and World Championship to Enaam Ahmed, a boy a year younger, who has beaten many of Hamilton's karting records [See BBC article] and on the road to have just as bright a future in cars. Also what about the other Karting Champions who will be competing in cars in the coming year. Such as Ferrari Young Driver; Zhou, competing in Italian F4. Or Red Bulls young Ilott, who will compete in cars for the first time in European F3, just like Max Verstappen.

Mick needs to find his own identity. The next few years will determine his future in motor sport. Whether he lives up to the hype or will simply be known as a "Son-of" for one of the greats. Damon Hill may have been able to forge his own name and not just "Graham's son", but his son Josh has since retired from motor sport after not achieving the results that would get him a seat.

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