Sports
MICK SCHUMACHER STARTING ‘NEW CHAPTER
MICK SCHUMACHER STARTING ‘NEW CHAPTER
In a compelling shift, Mick Schumacher, the 24-year-old racing prodigy, is embarking on what he deems a “new chapter” in his illustrious career. This time, the spotlight is on the World Endurance Championships, where he’ll showcase his prowess as he zooms onto the track representing Alpine in the 2024 series set to kick off in Qatar this March.
A Legacy in Motion: Schumacher’s Racing Heritage with Alpine
As the scion of Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher, who clinched a remarkable seven world titles between 1994 and 2004, Mick Schumacher carries the weight of an impressive racing legacy. Now, he’s ready to carve his own path in the exhilarating realm of endurance racing.
Transitioning Gears: Schumacher’s Bold Move after F1 Setback
After a setback that saw him lose his spot on the F1 grid, Schumacher junior views this shift to the World Endurance Championships as the ideal strategy to further elevate his driving skills. Expressing his enthusiasm, he stated, “A new chapter is beginning for me with Alpine in the FIA WEC Hypercar category. The car is impressive, and I can’t wait to get started.”
MICK SCHUMACHER STARTING ‘NEW CHAPTER
A Shift in Perspective: Schumacher’s Adaptation to Endurance Racing
Having grown up dominating single-seaters, Schumacher acknowledges the unique opportunity that endurance racing presents to refine his skills. Stepping into a car with a closed cockpit and covered wheels, he sees this as a golden chance to explore new dimensions in his driving abilities.
“I’ve grown up with single-seaters, so driving a car with a closed cockpit and covered wheels is a great opportunity to hone my driving skills,” Schumacher affirms.
Turning the Page: Schumacher’s F1 Journey and the Road Ahead
The conclusion of the 2022 season witnessed Schumacher parting ways with Haas, having garnered 12 points from 43 race starts. His last appearance on the F1 stage was at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix a year ago, where he finished in 16th place, a lap behind the victor, Max Verstappen. Reflecting on his hiatus, he confesses, “I sorely missed racing this year. It’s what I’ve loved to do since I was a kid, and it was sometimes difficult to watch the other drivers take to the track.”
Embracing Challenges: Schumacher’s Outlook on Endurance Racing
With a hunger for competition reignited, Schumacher eagerly anticipates the challenges that endurance racing will throw at him. Describing it as a “new challenge,” he envisions creating memorable moments with Alpine in the upcoming season.
READ: Lewis Hamilton Refuse to Use More Than $100,000 Worth Mercedes Equipment to Improve the Car Performance
“Endurance racing is a new challenge for me, and I’m sure we will share great moments together next year with Alpine,” he declares.
Balancing Acts: Schumacher’s Dual Role with Mercedes
Despite his foray into endurance racing, Schumacher remains committed to his role at Mercedes, where he has been the backup driver to Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. Mercedes, based in Brackley, fully supports Schumacher’s dual responsibilities, expressing excitement about his continued contribution to the team alongside his new challenge in the World Endurance Championships.
“We’re excited to see Mick continue to contribute to our team alongside his new challenge in World Endurance next season,” states the Mercedes team.
In essence, Mick Schumacher’s transition to Alpine marks a pivotal moment in his career, as he seeks to conquer new frontiers in the World Endurance Championships while maintaining his ties with the esteemed Mercedes team. The racing world awaits the unfolding of this thrilling saga, anticipating the emergence of a new legend on the endurance racing circuit.
THERE IS COMMENT BOX AFTER THE ADS, SHARE YOUR THOUGHT WITH US
A former Ferrari engineer has criticised the decision to bring in Lewis Hamilton and thinks the Brit’s presence will mean “a lot of potential for drama”.
At the age of 40, seven-time Formula 1 champion Hamilton will form a formidable driver partnership with Charles Leclerc. His big switch comes at the expense of Carlos Sainz, who has performed well for the Italian squad but who was axed so they had room for their blockbuster new signing.
But not everyone of a Ferrari persuasion is convinced that it will go well. Ernest Knoors, who spent many years as an engineer at Maranello, specialising in power units, worries that Hamilton’s presence could do more harm than good for a team that is finding its groove under Frederic Vasseur.
“A big name like Hamilton also brings a lot of politics and if politics within Ferrari are not managed well, then there is a lot of potential for drama,” he told Formule1.nl. “Hamilton has the tendency that if things do not work out, he turns his whole car upside down and starts experimenting.
“Ferrari believes very much in the big personalities and will follow him. But Hamilton is just someone you have to guide a little bit and not give the freedom to rebuild the whole car, because then it will go completely wrong. So I do not know if it is such a smart move, but of course it is nice for the sport.”
News of Hamilton’s planned move broke on February 1, coinciding with football’s Transfer Deadline Day. That the back pages of many newspapers were dominated by the decision of Hamilton to swap Mercedes for Ferrari was testament to the magnitude of the announcement.
Sainz was not surprised as he had been informed by his team of the plan ahead of it being made public. But the Spaniard responded well with two victories to date this season and five further appearances on the podium, on the way to what looks likely to be a fifth-placed finish in the championship – two spots and 54 points ahead of Hamilton.
Sainz has signed for Williams next year and, after several years of running at the front of the grid, will focus on his new challenge of helping restore one of the grid’s most historic teams to its former glory. But Knoors believes he should have been kept on by Ferrari instead.
The Dutchman added: “I see Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari more as a PR move. With all due respect, Hamilton is not going to take that Ferrari from P6 to P1. He will get the most out of it, but what Ferrari has to do is make that car faster. And if you make that car faster, you can easily drive at the front with the current line-up.
“Besides, as a team you have to look further on the horizon. If Hamilton becomes champion in the coming years, he and Ferrari will become immortal. But if you want to build a team with talent for the next five years, are you going to build on Hamilton? No, because he will really be finished after two or three years. That is why I would have kept the very strong line-up that Ferrari has now.”
THERE IS COMMENT BOX AFTER THE ADS, SHARE YOUR THOUGHT WITH US
Chase Elliott had a front-row seat for one of NASCAR’s most bizarre moments of the 2024 Cup Series season. At the start of Stage 2, the pace car dove onto pit road in front of Elliott; however, it was a tad too late. The pace car made contact with the sand barrels at the entry of pit road and caused a red flag for cleanup.
Initially, there was some speculation on the NBC Sports broadcast, even from the No. 9 team, that Elliott made contact with the pace car. Fortunately, the pace car didn’t slide across the No. 9 car’s nose, but it undoubtedly provided one of NASCAR’s craziest red flag moments in recent memory.
Below, you can listen to Elliott and the No. 9 team react to the pace car crashing into the sand barrels on pit road at Phoenix during Championship Weekend!
Reflecting on the recent retirement of 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr., Earnhardt didn’t mince words about the toll NASCAR takes on its drivers. Speaking candidly, the two-time Daytona 500 winner admitted that the pressure to perform every week left him feeling miserable for most of his racing career—a sentiment he believes is shared by many of his peers.
“Right or wrong, racing made me a miserable person 90% of the time,” Earnhardt confessed. “And him too. I mean, ask Kyle Busch, ask anybody—unless you’re winning, you’re not happy.”
For these elite drivers, the sport is a relentless grind. A podium finish might bring temporary relief, but anything short of victory is often a source of frustration. The immense effort poured into preparation and execution rarely feels like it pays off unless the checkered flag is theirs.
Earnhardt highlighted the mental toll of falling short, explaining how the relentless focus on winning can overshadow the joy of simply competing. Even a solid performance feels hollow compared to the euphoria of a win.
“Unless you’re winning, you’re not happy at all,” he said. “You’re okay with a good run, but for the most part, all the effort it takes just to run good—it doesn’t weigh out.”
For drivers, the stakes are sky-high every week. Sponsors, fans, and teams demand nothing less than excellence, leaving little room for error or personal satisfaction in anything less than a dominant performance.
Earnhardt also shared insights into his friendship with Martin Truex Jr., who recently announced his retirement. While the two often spend time hunting together during NASCAR’s off-season, Earnhardt noted that the stress of racing even creeps into their leisure activities.
“When I’m with him during hunting season, it’s always in the back of his mind,” Earnhardt said. “It’s that stressful part of the year when he’s as miserable as he’s going to be.”
Now, with Truex stepping away from the track, Earnhardt looks forward to seeing a lighter, happier version of his long-time friend. Without the weight of weekly competition hanging over him, Truex might finally be able to relax and enjoy the outdoor lifestyle he cherishes.
“It’ll be fun to see him loosen up,” Earnhardt added.
THERE IS COMMENT BOX AFTER THE ADS, SHARE YOUR THOUGHT WITH US
