FIA boss Jean Todt has been close to the Schumacher family for more than two decades. Todt was instrumental in luring Michael Schumacher to Ferrari in 1996 when he was the reigning two-time world champion having dethroned Alain Prost. 25 years later, it is Michael Schumacher's son Mick Schumacher who is in his first F1 season where he is showing how talented he is. As the reigning F2 champion backed by the very team his father own five of his seven world titles with, the 21-year-old finds himself at the back of the grid with the Haas team that's seen literally no investment for the 2021 season. Despite that in the Azerbaijan GP, he finished in P13 and has generally completely outclassed his teammate, Nikita Mazepin.
"I think it's fantastic that they have the passion that helps them go through the life they have to go through. And I hope he gets a car that allows him to express his talent as he should," said the Frenchman, who has been at the top of the motor sporting governing body.
Jean Todt was the man who brought in Michael Schumacher to Ferrari in 1996
Photo Credit: AFP
The Schumacher family has gone through a traumatic time since Michael Schumacher retired for the second time in 2012. Both Mick and Michael were in a skiing incident when. Micheal Schumacher crashed into a rock that has caused crippling brain damage. He continues his rehabilitation but the legendary German who has been characterised by many as the greatest Formula One driver of all time is unlikely to be his old self. It is also quite unfortunate, given his condition, he hasn't been able to see his son make the transition to F1.
Over the years, the young Schumacher has displayed his talent thanks to the backing of the Ferrari Driver Academy. Most recently in 2020, he has crowned the F2 champion. That helped his ascension to F1 to the Haas F1 team which is a close Ferrari partner and utilises its engines. Ferrari's woes with its engine since 2019 have been one of the main reasons Haas finds itself at the back of the grid as it always competed in the midfield.
Since the dramatic rule changes were scheduled for the 2021 season originally, and thanks to the pandemic postponed to 2022, to ensure its survival, it decided to not develop its car and has fully focussed its investment on the 2022 car. It even got rid of experienced drivers like Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen, to bring in affordable rookies like Schumacher and Mazepin.
Aside from being a Schumacher, Mick has proven his mettle in F3 and F2 series
Schumacher and Mazepin also get some financial backing as one is the son of arguably the greatest driver in the history of the sport and the F2 champion while the other one is the son of a Russian billionaire who has sponsored the team and his seat.
"My wife used to play with Mick in our garden with a chicken when he was three years old," said Todt. "That's why I'm very happy to see that he loves what he does. That he is attracted to what he is doing," he added.
