Vettel: Comparing Mick Schumacher to father ‘not fair’

Sebastian Vettel believes Mick Schumacher must be allowed to develop in his own time and feels comparisons to his seven-time Formula 1 world champion father Micahel are unfair. 

Reigning European Formula 3 champion Schumacher, who was signed to the Ferrari Driver Academy at the start of the year, currently sits 14th in the Formula 2 standings in his rookie campaign in the series with Prema. 

Asked for this thoughts on why F1 has become less popular in Germany ahead of this weekend’s German Grand Prix - which is likely to be axed from the calendar once its contract expires at the end of 2019 - and whether a return of the Schumacher name could help boost interest, current Ferrari driver Vettel replied: “I think it’s crucial that he’s given the time he needs. 

“I think it’s fair to judge him and his racing like every one of us has been judged and will be judged but it’s not right to measure and compare too much to other people and to his father. 

“I don’t think it’s fair. It’s a different time, different racing. Michael was the one who set off a huge hype when we were kids and therefore the name Schumacher is 100 percent known in Germany due to him. 

“Obviously to have Mick at the doorstep of F1 and one day hopefully joining would be huge and hopefully a big boost for Germany. 

“On top of that, despite the name, he’s a great guy, he’s a nice kid so I think our fingers are crossed for him.”

Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg, who is the only other German driver on the 2019 grid, added: “I feel and think the same as Seb said. 

“I think he needs his time, of course, also to go through his development but I’m sure he will get his chance. 

“But then for Germany that could be another big ignition to motivate people to go back to a Formula 1 race to watch so it could play a big part in that and it would be great to see.” 

Schumacher is set to complete a demonstration run in Michael's 2004 title-winning Ferrari F2004 F1 car this weekend at Hockenheim.