French Grand Prix: Mick Schumacher Q&A

You scored your best result of the season last time out in Azerbaijan with a P13 finish at the checkered. While it’s acknowledged attrition assisted the final position, is it the ability to capitalize on such opportunities that enables you to keep focused in the race knowing the limitations of the VF-21?

“As a team we did a good job to stay in the race, I think we managed it well and were able to stay in the fight. Looking at the stints, we did struggle here and there, but nonetheless we worked our way through, and we can be happy with the result – especially with the team moving up to ninth in the teams’ standings.” 

 

You’ve now taken the checkered flag in all six of your Formula 1 starts to-date. Just how valuable is race mileage in comparison to practice mileage for your personal development as a rookie. What are the key things you extract from logging race miles?

“Race mileage is key in every category; it’s about getting the knowledge and the experiences you need. Obviously, practice is good, but nothing can simulate the way a race unfolds with race starts, you’re always in close battles, you’re under pressure. You want to do well so you’re trying your best in every aspect. Obviously, sometimes that’s when mistakes happen, and it’s about learning to be in those situations that will enable you to get better. You have to put yourself into a mindset to be able to perform at 100 percent every time at the best that you can, and that’s in practice, qualifying and races. Mileage is just super important and I’m happy we’ve been able to finish all our races so-far.”

The French Grand Prix marks the start of your first triple-header weekend. What preparations, if any, do you have to make for the physical demands of such an intense burst of racing? Has your physical preparation changed in any way based on your experiences over the opening races of the season?

“Yes, it’s the first triple-header we’re going to. It’s going to be intense, but I think it’ll be fun spending all this time together with the team and getting to race consistently. It’ll be the busiest time in the car, but that’s good because it’s what I love – I’m happy about that. In terms of physical preparation, it doesn’t change anything. All your physical preparation is basically done in the weeks and months before and after the season. I’ve done all my preparations; I feel like I’m in a good spot. I’m sure we’ll be able to rock the triple-header and I’m looking forward to it.”

 

You raced most recently at Circuit Paul Ricard in your rookie Formula 2 season in 2019. How much experience of the track do you have from any other series – racing or testing, and what are the characteristics of the circuit that stand out for you?

“So yes, the last time I was at Paul Ricard was in F2, but I’ve also been there before in a Formula 3 test. It’s always been very interesting. The track is very open, there’s a lot of run-off to say the least. It’s still very flowing, there are possibilities to try different lines and stuff without having big consequences. It’s a track where everybody I think can find the right margins at every corner because they’re able to go over the margins sometimes and experience that. It’s going to be key to stay within the track limits and get the most out of the car – hopefully we’ll be able to do so.”