Mick Schumacher ‘going through hell’ as Herbert discusses Michael’s health

Michael Schumacher’s son Mick’s F1 career has been affected by his dad’s health struggles, according to ex-driver and Sky Sports expert Johnny Herbert. Schumacher Sr’s former team-mate claimed the seven-time champion was not able to “guide” his son as he took his first steps in the sport.

He stressed it “can’t be easy” for the German youngster who lost a key mentor from his junior career as he took the ultimate step up to F1. Herbert told Ice36: “Michael Schumacher’s health is also very sad for Mick. It can’t be easy for Mick, because of what his dad achieved.

“Being around your dad when you’re younger. Then of course his dad is not there to enjoy it and guide him. There have been a lot of people who have helped Mick over the years, but I think it is a situation that he would have loved his dad to be there for him.”

Schumacher suffered a brain injury after a ski accident back in December 2013 with little information shared on his condition. However, Mick has openly admitted his father was “no longer present” in the Schumacher documentary released on Netflix, where he also admitted he would “give everything” to be able to get advice from his dad on his racing career.

Schumacher Jr also revealed the pair would “have had much more to talk about” since he took the leap into F1. Mick was axed by Haas at the end of last season after failing to impress team boss Guenther Steiner.

However, his career was handed a lifeline by Toto Wolff who signed him up as Mercedes’ reserve driver for 2023. But, Herbert says Mick “never created that opportunity” to remain in F1 after struggling during his two years behind the wheel.

Despite his struggles, Herbert was still praised for his determination and attitude since his father’s injury.

He added: “He has dealt with the situation brilliantly. There was so much media attention just because of who he was and is. Then the expectations of what his dad did and trying to live up to them. He was under a hell of a lot of pressure and did it get the better of him?

“Maybe. Did he do enough when he was up against Kevin Magnussen (at Haas)? Probably not. That’s why it didn’t work out. He never created that opportunity for himself to continue as a racer.

“But there is still a chance an opportunity will open up and he will get that one-off race, like it did for Nyck de Vries, that might lead people to think, ‘Wow’.”