“That’s a difficult starting position at first”- Max Verstappen feels Michael Schumacher’s name is going to be huge baggage for Mick.
Mick Schumacher is going 17th driver in the history of Formula 1 to follow their father’s steps into the sport, and Max Verstappen being himself a son of a popular ex-Formula 1 driver Jos Verstappen empathises with his next year’s competitor.
Simultaneously, Verstappen feels that Mick will have an even more difficult position to start from, as Michael Schumacher’s legacy is definitely going to be overwhelming.
“It’s different for Mick than it is for me. His father is the record world champion, with seven world championships. That’s a difficult starting position at first.” said Max Verstappen to F1-Insider.com.
“Even during his karting days, there was always the press around him. In Formula 4, Formula 3 and now the hype got even bigger. But he has a good environment, good people who take care of him. They do it very well. ”
Mick has revealed earlier that he often had to use his pseudonym during competitions to avoid unwarranted attention from the public and media during his junior years in karting.
A memorable childhood together
Verstappen recollects that he and Mick used to join their respective fathers for karting sessions, and as per him those are the good days to remember for him.
“I was three or four years old at the time. I just knew this was Uncle Michael. Who was very nice. Who was a huge family man, but I never saw him as a record world champion, I wasn’t aware of that.”
“You can see that in the old photos and videos we have at home. Mick or Gina (Mick’s sister) was always there. It was great. I still have positive memories of those weekends today. ”
“Then I couldn’t speak German. I have no idea how we were talking. But two, three or four-year-olds never have a problem communicating, even if they don’t speak the same language. “
