Schumacher - Racing with dad’s old rivals will be “sweet”

Mick Schumacher believes it “sweet” there are still drivers around from his father Michael's era who will experience racing against two generations of his family.

Schumacher will make his debut for the Haas team this weekend, eight-and-a-half years after his seven-time title-winning father competed in his final race at the end of 2012.

Six of this year’s 20 drivers - Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Sergio Perez, Daniel Ricciardo and Kimi Raikkonen – all raced alongside Michael Schumacher during that final campaign.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, Schumacher said: “It’s kind of sweet to think about it that they’ve raced two generations.

“I guess it shows they’ve been in the sport for quite a while and they’ve been successful, therefore, that they’re here. It’s going to be nice to see how things turn out on track.

“I haven’t driven with many of them in the test. I know Kimi quite well, from the track, and it’s always very nice talking to him.”

Schumacher steered clear of a question about his father, whose health is a closely guarded secret following a skiing accident in 2013 that left him with a serious brain injury.

The 22-year-old did, however, offer up a personal reflection on his father’s legacy related to the Bahrain GP, which was first on the F1 calendar in 2004.

“Bahrain is a great place to start the season,” he added. “Thinking about 2004, when my dad won the first race ever driven here, that’s kind of fun.”

Schumacher’s team-mate, Russian Nikita Mazepin, also has “enormous respect” for the legends he will be racing against.

“It’s very humbling," said Mazepin. "It goes without saying how much those guys have contributed to the sport and also how much they’ve achieved.

"Spending their life on their road is a sacrifice and for so many consecutive years is impressive.

“I am just going to be looking up to their actions and hopefully I will be able to learn from them as much as I can.”

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