No "big difference" between junior racing to F1 - Schumacher

Haas rookie Mick Schumacher believes there is no "big difference" between racing in Formula 1 and competing in junior categories.

Schumacher will step-up to Formula 1 with Haas for his debut season in 2021 in a move that was announced just a handful of days before the German secured the Formula 2 title.

F1 is seen by many as the pinnacle of open-wheel racing but Schumacher suggested there is little to distinguish the championship from those below it on the ladder.

“It’s great to be driving in Formula 1 and it’s great to be driving with great drivers but, to be honest, it's not a big difference from junior racing," said the 21-year-old.

“Obviously, every single year is a very competitive year that I have been in at the moment.

“It’s strange the first time you get into an FP1 and everybody has been driving the whole season and you’re the newcomer but I think that for sure will change next year and I will feel much more established in a position.”

After Schumacher's planned F1 debut with Alfa Romeo at the Eifel Grand Prix fell victim to the murky Nurburgring conditions, the German was forced to wait until the end of the season to eventually make his maiden FP1 appearance with Haas, less than two weeks after being confirmed as part of next season's driver line-up.

Schumacher also took part in the post-season young driver test, using the time to work on race simulations - something the three days of pre-season testing will allow minimal time for.

He added: “Any running is good running and great preparations for me for next year.

"The FP1 [outing] was really to get that first taste and then the young driver test was really for me to work on certain things such as long runs which, obviously, are going to be very important.”

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