MICHAEL Schumacher’s son Mick should be going by means of hell over his dad’s well being situation, the F1 legend’s former ex-teammate has stated.
Johnny Herbert – who partnered Schuey at Benetton in 1994 and 1995 – spoke out as thriller nonetheless surrounds the seven-time world champion.
Johnny Herbert partnered Michael Schumacher at Benetton in 1994 and 1995Credit score: Getty
Herbert retired from the game within the 12 months 2000Credit score: Getty
Mick Schumacher is the reserve driver at MercedesCredit score: Zuma Press
The three-time F1 race winner described the wrestle that Michael’s racer son Mick has confronted not having his dad alongside him within the paddock.
However he hailed the younger driver for dealing with the horrible scenario “brilliantly”.
And he questioned whether or not the 24-year-old might have suffered below the strain of his dad’s legacy.
Michael has not been seen or heard from in practically 10 years as he continues to recuperate from a horrific ski crash.
His household have labored laborious to make sure privateness – at the same time as Mick launched into his personal F1 profession and rose by means of the ranks.
Herbert instructed betting agency Ice 36 that it “should be hell” for Mick.
“Michael Schumacher’s well being can also be very unhappy for Mick. It might probably’t be simple for Mick, due to what his dad achieved,” stated Herbert.
“Being round your dad once you’re youthful. Then in fact his dad isn’t there to get pleasure from it and information him.
“There have been lots of people who’ve helped Mick over time, however I believe it’s a scenario that he would have liked his dad to be there for him.”
Mick adopted in his dad’s footsteps into F1 – however the younger driver struggled and misplaced his race seat on the finish of 2022 after a sequence of crashes for the Haas crew.
He was dropped in favour of veteran driver Nico Hulkenberg for 2023 – and is now a reserve driver at Mercedes.
The German is backing up Sir Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, probably stepping in for them in the event that they should miss a race.
Johnny stated: “He has handled the scenario brilliantly. There was a lot media consideration simply due to who he was and is.
“Then the expectations of what his dad did and attempting to reside as much as them. He was below a hell of numerous strain and did it get the higher of him?
“Perhaps. Did he do sufficient when he was up in opposition to Kevin Magnussen (at Haas)? In all probability not. That’s why it didn’t work out.”
“He by no means created that chance for himself to proceed as a racer.”
Johnny, now a revered pundit, nonetheless was assured that Mick can discover his manner again to the grid – particularly if he will get an opportunity to shine at a Grand Prix.
“However there may be nonetheless an opportunity a chance will open up and he’ll get that one-off race, prefer it did for Nyck de Vries, which may lead folks to assume, ‘Wow’,” stated Johnny.
The Brit races in F1 from 1989 to 2000 – racing for groups together with Lotus, Sauber, Stewart and Jaguar.
He received three races – together with on the British Grand Prix in 1995.
And he accomplice Schuey because the German went on to win his first two world titles in ’94 and ’95.
Herbert final week additionally slammed German journal Die Aktuelle which ran a disturbing AI-generated faux interview together with his previous pal Schumacher.
Michael was left in a medically induced coma after his accident whereas snowboarding off piste on December 29, 2013 – spending three months in hospital earlier than being launched dwelling.
He’s reported to have suffered a traumatic harm to his mind – however little different information has been launched on his well being.
The dearth of official updates has left room for hypothesis and conflicting stories from “insiders” about his gradual progress.
Studies have claimed he was in a vegetative state whereas others claimed he was awake and capable of speak.
Some friends have criticised the household for not being extra open – together with Schumacher’s supervisor of 20 years, Willi Weber, and Schumacher’s boss at Mercedes, Nick Fry.
The F1 legend was a seven-time-world champion – profitable 5 instances for Ferrari and twice for Benetton – and is considered one of many biggest drivers of all time.
He raced from 1991 to 2006, and once more from 2010 to 2012, profitable 91 races.
His “second profession” noticed him race with the returning Mercedes crew after they purchased out Brawn GP on the finish of 2009.
Schuey is credited with serving to to put the foundations of the Silver Arrows as they went on to dominate the game – profitable eight constructors’ and 7 drivers’ titles – between 2014 and 2021.
And his work with Mercedes proves a touching hyperlink between himself and Mick as he spends 2023 with the crew.
Michael Schumacher is without doubt one of the biggest drivers of all timeCredit score: Getty