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Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, says his childhood dream has come true following Wednesday’s announcement that he will drive in Formula One for the first time with Haas next season. “It’s unbelievable and he’s definitely not assimilated yet,” the 21-year-old told a news conference. “I am happy that it was decided, I have been pursuing this dream since I was three years old. Schumacher junior will team up with Russian driver Nikita Mazepin, another Formula One rookie, in the Haas lineup.
Haas team principal Guenther Steiner welcomed his new drivers and tweeted: “Very excited to have two rookies on our team for next year! Welcome Mick!”
They replace the current Haas driver pair of Romain Grosjean, who escaped a major accident at Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix, and Kevin Magnussen.
Haas will be counting on his partner from 2021 to prove his mettle on the track after Grosjean and Magnussen’s frugal run of just three points between them this season with two races to play.
Schumacher has shone in Formula Two this season and leads the standings by 14 points after taking 10 podiums and wins in special races at Monza and Sochi.
You’ll get a taste of what’s at the elite level when you take part in Haas free practice before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ending the 2020 season on December 11 before taking part in trials a few days later.
Confirming the news 24 hours after Mazepin’s appointment, Haas announced that they had signed Schumacher “on a multi-year agreement.”
“This is definitely a new challenge,” added Schumacher.
“I hope to find out what it is like, how to improve and develop a car from the beginning to the end of the year.”
“Limelight”
The German said he was prepared for extensive media attention as he prepares to follow in his illustrious father’s footsteps.
“I have been in the limelight since my childhood, especially because I chose this sport, but until now I have accepted it. The results speak for themselves.”
“This care has always been normal for me. The important thing is to have people who will tell you the truth, who keep you grounded and help you along the way.
“And I’m lucky to have people like that around me.”
Steiner said the Formula 2 championship has long served as a testing ground for talent to display its credentials.
He added: “Mick has won races, racked up podiums and has stood out against some pretty exceptional talents in 2020.
“I firmly believe that he has earned the opportunity to graduate from Formula 1 based on his performances.
“We are putting our building blocks in place for the continued long-term growth of the team and I look forward to Mick’s contributions both on and off the track in that process.”
The Schumacher family fiercely protects the privacy of both Mick and his grieving father.
Michael Schumacher has not been seen in public since he sustained a serious head injury in a ski accident in December 2013.
His wife Corinna, Mick’s mother, issued a rare statement on the Formula One legend’s 50th birthday in January 2019, saying the family was doing “everything humanly possible” to help her husband.
Promoted
Schumacher paid tribute to his parents, saying, “I owe them everything.”
British driver Lewis Hamilton won his seventh Formula One world title this year to equal Michael Schumacher’s all-time record.
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