Mick Schumacher feels another season in FIA Formula 2 (F2) Championship with the 18-inch tyres will be useful for him when he moves to F1.
Prema’s Schumacher has been talked about for a long time, not just for his kinfolk, but also for the mettle he displayed during his 2018 season in European F3, when he won the championship and dominated the final half of that season.
This has led to talk surrounding a potential F1 position for the young German, but he moved to F2 in 2019 with Prema. He had a decent year with a win as a rookie but it wasn’t enough to win the rookie honours which was won by Guanyu Zhou.
Considering his name, he was again talked upon for a F1 move in 2020 but he stayed put in F2 with Prema. When talking about a F1 move, Schumacher said he would have been happy if it happened this yeat, but equally, he will be content to continue in F2.
“I would have been happy if it had gone into F1 [in 2020], but it can also be positive to drive another year in a junior category, in F2,” said Schumacher. “To gain experience and already drive with the new tyres. In 2021 F11 will also be driving with the big wheels.
Schumacher was referring to F2’s new 18-inch tyres, which Pirelli is undertaking in 2020 before it makes its debut in F1 in 2021. Of the change in F2, he also noted that it will likely change the driving element severely, as he made 2020 predictions.
“There will be a big change in how you approach the race,” said Schumacher. “Qualifying and free practice will remain similar. I think you’ll have to drive the car differently. In 2019, there were some tracks where we had to save tyres in the first sector.
“It was done so that we had enough in the last sector, even in one qualifying lap. It will probably be different next year. Maybe it will get worse, maybe better. I think it’ll be easier for me, because I know the car, know the tracks and what’s going on at the weekend.
“I know pretty well what’s going to be done, although 2020 could be different because we have new tyres. That could change the approach.” It will be crucial season for Schumacher as there will be far more talk of a F1 jump in 2021 for the German.
He has a stiff competition though with Callum Ilott and Giuliano Alesi being the other Ferrari juniors in F2, who will also be eyeing a F1 move. There is Robert Shwartzman and Marcus Armstrong too but unless they win the title, they wouldn’t jump ship.
Here’s the latest on F2 driver line-up for 2020
Here’s the test dates for F2 in 2020
Here’s details on the race numbers to used in F2 with no #19
Here’s what Mick Schumacher said regarding lack of testing for rookies in F2
Here’s the links to the five episodes of F2: Chasing The Dream docu
Here’s details on the changed F2 and F3 regulation for 2020
The story was co-written by Darshan Chokhani