Schumacher: Full focus on F2 despite Ferrari F1 test

Mick Schumacher has stressed his full focus lies with his Formula 2 debut in Bahrain this weekend despite being just days away from a maiden Formula 1 test for Ferrari.

Schumacher will drive an F1 car for the very first time on Tuesday when he tests for Ferrari, and will then complete running for Alfa Romeo on Wednesday in Bahrain.

The Ferrari test will mark Schumacher’s first official outing with the team that his father, Michael, won five world championships with between 2000 and 2004.

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Despite significant interest in his upcoming F1 outings, Schumacher made clear on Thursday that his focus remained on his F2 debut on Saturday with Prema Racing, having moved up to the championship after winning the European Formula 3 title last year.

Asked what his current priority, Schumacher said: “Formula 2. 110 percent.

“I guess [the F1 tests] something I’ll focus on as soon as it’s time for it.

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“There’s a bunch of things you have to do to be prepared, and I’ve done that. I’ve done that with Prema. I’m doing a lot of sim work for F2 and physical training in trying to have a similar heat to here. It’s very difficult obviously, the sun is very strong.

“But I feel really prepared. I feel 100 percent ready to kick off the season.”

Discussing his aims for his debut season in F2, Schumacher said: “I think the goal for me really is to learn as much as possible, to gather as much experience, and then to deliver the best potential and the best performance.”

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FATHER’S LEGACY HAS ‘ALWAYS BEEN PART OF ME’

Interest in Schumacher has been significant since he moved into single-seater racing four years ago given the legacy of his father, who statistically remains the greatest driver in F1 history.

Schumacher acknowledged the additional attention he has received through racing because of his father’s success, but was grateful for his influence.

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“Obviously it’s part of me,” Schumacher said. “I’m the son of my dad, and I’m happy that I am. What he did was the best ever in F1, so that’s something I look up to. I’m happy to have him as my dad.

“It’s always been part of me. I guess I always had the time and the chance to grow into that. I had a lot of people behind me that helped me on the path.

“I guess I wouldn’t be the person that I am now if it wasn’t for him.”

Additional reporting by Haydn Cobb.