Mick Schumacher's qualifying at the Canadian Grand Prix is as far forward as he's ever been in his career. He is impressively defying the intense pressure he is exposed to after many retirements in Formula 1. That makes him cheer - and his team too.
His mother Corinna hugged Mick Schumacher, Haas team boss Günther Steiner was very satisfied, Ferrari also congratulated his youngster: With his by far best qualifying result in Formula 1, the 23-year-old Schumacher impressively defied the increasing pressure. By taking sixth place on the grid in Montreal, the son of record world champion Michael Schumacher set a highlight and can hope for his first liberating world championship points in the race (8 p.m. / Sky and in the ntv.de live ticker).
"Of course it's nice to have a good result. Something you can build on. It shows that I'm here for a good reason," said Schumacher, who recently came under criticism after his serious accidents in Jeddah and Monaco was. According to reports, at the previous race in Baku, the news had spread in the paddock that Schumacher would lose his place.
He wants to do his "best" in the race to hold the position. A difficult task, after all, in George Russell in a Mercedes, World Championship runner-up Sergio Perez in a Red Bull and World Championship third-placed Charles Leclerc in a Ferrari, highly rated drivers start in top cars behind the Haas driver.
Steiner explained with a view to Schumacher's good starting position and fifth starting position for his teammate Kevin Magnussen: "The whole team did a great job, both drivers were always calm." The South Tyrolean hopes to be able to hold "the positions as well as possible".
Schumacher's uncle Ralf, six-time Grand Prix winner, was also relieved. "It takes a lot of pressure off, and the pressure is just there. Mick shows exactly what he can do. He didn't become Formula 2 and Formula 3 champion by chance," said the Sky expert. Unlike in qualifying, where the track gradually dried out, sunshine is predicted for the Canadian Grand Prix.
