The duties of a reserve driver in Formula One are unique, distinct and somewhat peculiar. With the chances of a lastminute call-up to the cockpit extremely unlikely, you lead a life in the shadows. Out of mind but never fully out of sight. In Mick Schumacher’s case, he has been omnipresent in the F1 paddock for more than three years but, to his detectible discontent, the past 18 months have been without a race seat.
“Fighting your way back is exhausting,” Schumacher tells The
Independent, in the familiar surroundings of the Mercedes motorhome. “You get this cake presented to you which is really good, but you’re not allowed to eat it. And you have to watch everybody else eat it. So it’s tough, for sure, but I know why I’m doing it.”
One attribute that cannot be questioned is Schumacher’s commitment. Being the son of a seven-time world champion carries its own unusual burden. But the German, still something of a racing novice at the age of 25, wholeheartedly believes he is yet to be given a fair crack of the whip.
His rookie year with Haas in 2021 was a write-off; superior to teammate Nikita Mazepin, not finishing last was an achievement in one of the worst-performing cars in F1 history. His second year was where it all went wrong, however, finishing 13 points behind the experienced Kevin Magnussen. But that wasn’t the issue; more so, the expensive crashes which resulted in Netflix star Guenther Steiner losing patience and wielding the axe.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 13, 2024-Ausgabe von The Independent.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 13, 2024-Ausgabe von The Independent.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Fisher one step from joining lucrative heavyweight party
Johnny Fisher is one of a dozen British heavyweights waiting to fill the void when Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury finally call it a day.
'Friendly' transfer deals are put under the microscope
Finance rules see a flurry of June Premier League signings
Alcaraz says staying calm is the secret to SW19 success
Carlos Alcaraz turned to his box, clenching his fist in delight with that familiar intensity.
Raducanu destroys Mertens to raise Wimbledon hopes
Briton needed just 75 minutes to beat Elise Mertens 6-1, 6-2 in a powerful display reminiscent of her 2021 US Open win
Google blames AI as growth in emissions continues to jeopardise net zero targets
Google partly blamed AI for the fact that its carbon pollution continued to grow last year, threatening the search giant’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
DADDY ISSUES
The compulsive sperm donor at the centre of a controversial new Netflix docuseries, 'The Man with 1000 Kids', tells Kevin EG Perry why he refused to take part in the show
CAN'T BUY ME LOVE?
Calls to find a 6ft 5in man working in finance with a trust fund were everywhere at Glastonbury, harking back to a viral video. It's all a bit tongue in cheek, writes Olivia Petter, but it does reveal a truth about dating during a cost of living crisis
Will Heathrow Express pay up if our flights are missed?
You have been reporting on the collapse of the Heathrow Express and Elizabeth Line from central London to Heathrow airport.
MAN AND SUPERMAN
Brain fog, mood swings and low libido can often affect men over 40. Could testosterone replacement therapy help, or can it actually be harmful?
Sunak's Starmer swipe let on what he thinks about mums
He could have kept quiet. As a father-of-two, Rishi Sunak will be very familiar with trying in vain to step away from his desk to spend a few hours with his family.
