Mick Schumacher opens up on his dad's record being broken
Formula 2 championship leader Mick Schumacher says his father Michael had always told him that “records are there to be broken”, as Lewis Hamilton closes in on becoming Formula 1’s joint winningest driver.
Hamilton has enjoyed incredible success since his move to Mercedes in 2013 prior to the advent of the hybrid era the following year, winning 69 races to add to his 21 triumphs with McLaren.
Should Hamilton win this weekend's Russian Grand Prix at Sochi, he will match Michael Schumacher's tally of 91 victories - a long-standing record once considered unbeatable by many in F1.
Hamilton is already the most successful F1 driver in history in terms of pole positions and podium finishes, and will also equal Schumacher Schumacher's record of seven titles if he beats teammate Valtteri Bottas and Red Bull's Max Verstappen to the 2020 crown.
Hamilton coincidentally replaced Schumacher at Mercedes in 2013 after the German driver, who continues to receive medical treatment at home since his skiing accident seven years ago, retired from the sport for the second time after a three-year stint with the German manufacturer.
Asked how he and his family feels about Hamilton being on the verge of equalling - and eventually eclipsing - one of Schumacher's most remarkable records, Mick said: "I think one sentence my dad always used to say was 'records are there to be broken'. And I think it's everybody's aim in this sport to do that.
"I think Lewis had a very, very good run - he had a very consecutive and positive run. They say records are there to be broken and obviously from our side I think we'd see it on the good side, too.
"Obviously, it's good for the sport. He's been very influential in this sport, too. The next aim would be then I guess for me – if I do make the step to [F1] – to break that in."
Schumacher said he has met Hamilton several times, but hadn't got a chance to speak to him recently due to social bubbles implemented by F1 in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
"Obviously, Lewis coming to Mercedes after my dad left... I was at the track a few times and kind of got to speak to him at certain moments, obviously, he's a very busy man.
"I'm quite [busy] too, and especially now due to COVID, it's quite difficult to kind of speak to each other. So I'm kind of focusing on myself right now and Lewis is doing the same for him."
Additional reporting by Oleg Karpov
Related video
Ricciardo feeling "hooked up" for first time at Sochi
Russian GP: Latest key F1 technical developments
Why Mercedes' Spanish GP gains aren't as grand as they seemed
Mercedes' strong showing in last weekend's Spanish Grand Prix prompted team boss Toto Wolff to say it had halved its deficit to the leaders and its Formula 1 title chances were back on after a rocky start to the 2022 campaign. But a closer inspection of the team's performance suggests its gains aren't as grand as they first appeared
What's next for the Green Red Bull controversy?
From the 'pink Mercedes' to the 'Green Red Bull', the Silverstone-based team has received suspicious glares from up and down the Formula 1 paddock over its car design exploits. But after being cleared by the FIA over its Spanish Grand Prix updates amid a backdrop of cries of foul play, what's next in this saga?
Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2022
In an unusually hectic Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc was denied a dominant performance by his Ferrari engine letting go which allowed Max Verstappen to pick up the pieces. But numerous flashpoints kept the race twisting and turning throughout, with one perfect score from an emerging contender
How Verstappen overcame his and Red Bull’s errors to win in Spain
Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari engine disaster offered an open goal for Max Verstappen and Red Bull to strike, but the reigning Formula 1 world champion still had to solve multiple errors and profit from a begrudged assist from team-mate Sergio Perez, which created an unexpectedly eventful Spanish Grand Prix
Why Red Bull can win a Spanish GP that looked perfect for Ferrari
Formula 1's return to Spain on Friday ended with Ferrari leading the way from Mercedes, while Red Bull could only manage third fastest overall courtesy of Max Verstappen. But its chances of victory are far from remote with a deeper dig into the times despite Ferrari's strong start...
The key aspects of Porsche and Audi's planned F1 entries
The VW Group’s German superpowers of sportscar racing have all but confirmed they are coming to F1 when the next set of engine rules come into force in 2026. Here's why both manufacturers are all set to take the plunge, and crucially how it might work
How Vegas went from byword for F1 indifference to grand Liberty coup
Holding a race in Las Vegas – party central, a city of dreams and decadence and, yes, more than a smattering of tackiness – has been on Liberty Media’s most-wanted list since it acquired Formula 1’s commercial rights. But, as LUKE SMITH explains, F1 has been here before and the relationship didn’t work out
Why de Vries' FP1 outing could add a new path to his current crossroads
A Formula 2 and Formula E champion, Nyck de Vries is currently considering where his future in motorsport lies. Continuing in WEC and Formula E is possible and he's also courted glances Stateside after impressing in an IndyCar test. But ahead of his Formula 1 FP1 debut with Williams, he could have another option if he impresses...