Maranello test hands Schumacher ‘excellent base’ ahead of F1 debut

Standing on the brink of making a full-time step-up to Formula 1, the wait for the new season to start must be an agonizing one for Mick Schumacher, so naturally, the 2020 Formula 2 Champion was delighted to finally get back behind the wheel at Maranello.

The German driver got his hands on the 2018-spec Ferrari SF71H during a private five-day test in Maranello, ahead of his F1 debut with HAAS this season.

“Finally sitting in a car again is a feeling I was missing a lot. I think today has definitely been a positive day at the track,” said Schumacher.

“We managed to get through the entire programme that we had scheduled without any problem and it was clearly very useful to be able to get through so much mileage at the wheel of a Formula 1 car in view of the coming season that will be starting in about a month and a half with the pre-season testing.”

The 21-year-old enjoyed a trouble-free run in the Ferrari, racking up more than 50 laps on Thursday. He is back in the saddle this morning, before he hands the reigns over to his F2 title rival, Callum Ilott.

It was the German’s fifth time at the wheel of a car made by the Maranello company, as he edges ever closer to his debut in the pinnacle of motorsport.

“The SF71H is a car from 2018 but its behaviour on the track and the feelings that it gives to the driver are very similar,” he continued. “Both in terms of how it behaves on the track and physical stress to a current car.

“That makes it an excellent base when it comes to preparation for the new season. Driving at Fiorano is always great anyway because the track is technical and demanding.

“It’s been a pleasure to meet up once again with the engineers and mechanics I worked with last September and I can’t wait to get back into the car.”