Mick Schumacher Q&A: Dutch Grand Prix

The second stop on this triple-header takes Formula 1 back to seaside town of Zandvoort for the Dutch Grand Prix. It was a memorable event last season thanks to the orange army and electric atmosphere. Can you recap your memories from last year?

“It was very banked, very different to years before when I’ve driven there. I enjoy going to Zandvoort, it’s a fun track because people are in a good mood and you have the sea which is close so it’s nice to go. I’m excited to go back.”

 

It’s a high-speed, high-downforce circuit. Do you think this will suit the VF-22 and how do you think it will feel driving this new iteration of Formula 1 car?

“It’s hard to say whether it’s going to suit our car or not, I would hope so. One thing that is for sure is it’s going to be a lot more difficult compared to last year. We have cars which are a lot more mechanical, and at tracks like Baku and others they’re a bit harder than we’d like it to be, and I guess Zandvoort is going to be one of those tracks as well. We have banked corners where cars are getting quite low, and we saw this year that once we get low, things turn out to be very bumpy.”

One of the trademarks features of the race are the two the banked corners. Can you explain the physical impact that has on you and the car, and due to the overtaking opportunities do you think banked corners could be incorporated into other tracks?

“Banked corners essentially allow us to go faster through the corner. On the physical side, it only means more strain on the neck, but Zandvoort has always been a track that has been tough on the neck. There are a lot of laps, a lot of quick corners, and it’s high downforce as well so it’s definitely going to be interesting. It also means there’s going to be opportunities if you’re fit enough to withstand that, it gives you the chance to perhaps profit from mistakes happening from other drivers. At a track like that, it usually ends up getting quite close to the wall or through the gravel – it could give one or the other the position.” 

 

What does this triple-header mean in terms of understanding and optimizing the upgraded package – can you make changes during this time, or is it purely a data gathering opportunity? 

“I’m sure we can do some changes on the set-up side and understand the package better for sure, and hopefully the package brings us what we hope and brings us closer to the others. It would be nice to have a break, so you have more time to go through the data, as when you have a triple-header everybody is very electrified trying to get everything ready for the triple-header.”