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(Motorsport-Total.com) – Mick Schumacher’s long-awaited Formula 1 debut was unintentionally canceled at the Nürburgring on Friday. Rain and excessive fog prevented driving in the first and second free practice. Not a single wheel turned, so the Formula 2 championship leader still has to be patient. Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto awaits a new opportunity only in Abu Dhabi.
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Mick Schumacher has to wait for his Formula 1 opportunity Focus
“It would have been a good opportunity for Mick’s debut in Formula 1,” he laments the uneventful day at the Eifel. Schumacher and Callum Ilott had been specially prepared by Ferrari for their first use in an official free practice session with a test at Fiorano (on an older Ferrari).
Schumacher also paid a visit to the Alfa Romeo factory in Hinwil, where the seat was also adjusted. But the 21-year-old still has to wait to take a seat in the C39. “Of course we will try to do that on one of the next race weekends.”
Schumacher: The weekend is still useful
However, Binotto sees little room for the Ferrari Juniors. “It will be very difficult.” The next Formula 1 stops will be Portugal and San Marino. Formula 1 has never raced in Portimao, so training time will be particularly important there for regular drivers, the team boss knows.
And at Imola, the main class will only run on Saturday and Sunday as planned, so there won’t be a chance to practice with Schumacher there either. “Then comes Bahrain, where you are driving for the Formula 2 championship. Of course you have to focus on that.”
Before that, Formula 1 is still driven in Turkey, but Binotto seems to rule out a deployment there as well. “So the most likely option will be Abu Dhabi, and not before.” However, Robert Schwarzman has already been promised a cabin in the desert.
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So it is questionable whether Ilott and Schumacher will get their chance as well. “We have to wait and see how things develop,” says the German. “Now there are many routes that are not traveled frequently. Therefore, regular drivers will need their time in the car.”
Schumacher admits he was disappointed not being able to take a chance at the Nurburgring. “We already knew that the weather forecast was not looking good. At this time of year it is never certain that it would be dry in the Eifel. We knew it could be wet.”
However, he is satisfied with the preparation for his Formula 1 debut. “We held a lot of meetings and I was able to expand my knowledge. That was very useful.” Schumacher will spend the rest of the weekend with the former Sauber team.
“I cannot speak about the content of the internal contract”
The junior, who this Friday was accompanied by his mother Corinna, will participate in meetings and learn about the processes that regular drivers also go through. “Right now I’m getting an idea of how things are going. That will definitely be very valuable to me, I’m looking forward to it.”
To what extent is the excitement surrounding your Formula 1 debut distracting you from your Formula 2 mission? “Of course, every opportunity to get into a Formula 1 car is great. After all, Formula 1 is the goal, the dream,” he explains. But the focus is still on Formula 2.
There is speculation in the paddock that he would be guaranteed a permanent place in Formula 1 if he made it to the top 3 of the junior class. But the bearer of hope does not want to hear that. “Unfortunately, I cannot speak about the content of the internal contract under any circumstances,” he ruled out.
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Will Ferrari decide where to drive in 2021 or is it in their own hands? “Wait and see. It is important for me to finish as far forward as possible in Formula 2,” he repeated. “I’m in a strong position, that’s my focus. I can’t really talk about the rest right now.”
However, many observers assume that Schumacher will have a chance with Ferrari’s customer, Alfa Romeo, next season. Friday’s training session in the Eifel would have been a good preparation, now this step has to wait a little longer. Currently no further private tests are planned.
