F1: Mick Schumacher’s surname is a ‘BURDEN’, Felipe Massa claims, amid rookie season struggles

Mick Schumacher’s surname is a ‘BURDEN’, Felipe Massa claims, because Formula One fans ‘expect things he can never fulfil’ amid rookie season struggles for the son of seven-time world champion Michael

  • Mick Schumacher’s surname is a ‘burden’ says ex-Formula One star Felipe Massa
  • Youngster has had a difficult rookie season with his Haas at the back of the grid 
  • Massa believes the 22-year-old’s name places extremely high pressure on him
  • The Brazilian added that a better car and team-mate will result in more scrutiny 


Felipe Massa believes that Mick Schumacher’s surname is a ‘burden’, with the Brazilian claiming that the rookie’s connection with Formula One legend and father Michael places ‘extremely high’ pressure on him.

As the son of seven-time world champion Schumacher, all eyes have been on the young Haas driver during his rookie season in Formula One. The 22-year-old had raced under his mother’s maiden name, but has since taken on his father’s surname.

However, Schumacher Jr has failed to pick up a single point this season and with two races remaining is almost destined to remain rooted to the bottom of the driver standings with team-mate Nikita Mazepin.  

Michael Schumacher is one of the sport's greats with seven world championships

Mick Schumacher’s (L) surname from famous father Michael (R) is a ‘burden’, Felipe Massa says

All eyes have been on the young Haas driver as he is the son of legend Michael Schumacher

All eyes have been on the young Haas driver as he is the son of legend Michael Schumacher

Schumacher Jr’s struggles this season have been mitigated by the poor performance of his Haas car, which is comfortably the slowest on the grid, while the erratic driving of Mazepin has afforded the German less scrutiny from fans and pundits.

The 22-year-old has ambitions to rise up the pecking order and one day race for Ferrari – as his father did – where he will be alongside a team-mate of higher quality and his displays will be more sharply evaluated.

And former Scuderia driver Massa says Schumacher’s surname is a ‘burden’ and that Formula One fans ‘expect things he can never fulfil’ due to his car’s lack of pace in his debut campaign.     

The 22-year-old has had a difficult rookie season with zero points scored with strugglers Haas

The 22-year-old has had a difficult rookie season with zero points scored with strugglers Haas

Former Ferrari driver Massa says that the pressure is 'extremely high' on the newcomer

Former Ferrari driver Massa says that the pressure is ‘extremely high’ on the newcomer

‘In general, the name Schumacher is a burden for Mick,’ Massa told Die Welt.

‘It helps him to get sponsors and he gets a lot of support. But people expect things he can never fulfil. The pressure is extremely high. 

‘The Haas is the worst car in Formula 1, he doesn’t have the best team-mate – if he had someone who had more experience he would be able to measure himself much better,’ Massa explained.

‘We’ll have to wait until he has a better car and a better team-mate.’

Schumacher Jr will remain at Haas next season alongside Mazepin, where it is hoped they will be more competitive with the introduction of new regulations.  

Brazilian says a better car and better team-mate will result in more scrutiny on Schumacher

Brazilian says a better car and better team-mate will result in more scrutiny on Schumacher

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