Vettel: Mick Schumacher has to "find his own path" in F1
Sebastian Vettel says he is happy to help fellow German Mick Schumacher on his Formula 1 debut in 2021, but believes the Haas rookie also has to "find his own path" in the sport.

Vettel forged a strong friendship with his idol Michael Schumacher during his rise through the sport and has also become close to Michael's 21-year-old son Mick, who will make his Formula 1 debut in 2021 with Ferrari-affiliated Haas as a member of the Ferrari Academy.
In addition to being friends off the track, Vettel and Schumacher junior partnered for Team Germany at the 2019 Race of Champions in Mexico, continuing a popular off-season tradition that Vettel started with Michael.
Read Also:
Vettel, who will move to Aston Martin Racing next season, says Schumacher will be also able to count on his support as he makes his first steps in F1.
"I'm happy to help where I can because he's a great guy and obviously I have a very special connection to his father," Vettel said when asked by Motorsport.com about Schumacher's arrival in F1. "It's a shame that Michael is not able to witness Mick's progression in the last few years and his step now into Formula 1.
"So, yeah, from my side, I really like him, we get along well and I'm happy to tell him everything that I know."

Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher at ROC Mexico 2019
Schumacher, who graduates to F1 after clinching the 2020 FIA F2 title, said Vettel is an idol and a mentor to him in similar fashion to what his father is to the four-time world champion.
"Well I'm flattered obviously. I watched his father win a lot more races than he could have watched me win, but I think I will be happy to help," Vettel responded, while adding that Schumacher will also have to forge his own path in the sport.
"I'm happy to help, but I think it's very important for him to find his own path and follow his own way.
"But surely as much as it helped when Michael had some things to say when I asked and gave me advice, I'm trying to do the same to him.
"The way I see him as a person, where I can help him in his life, or on track with some of the things that I went through in my career."
Additional reporting by Ronald Vording
Related video

Previous article
The hidden tech fight that will define F1 2021
Next article
Who were the saints and sinners from F1’s penalty points system?

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Drivers | Sebastian Vettel , Mick Schumacher |
Author | Filip Cleeren |
Vettel: Mick Schumacher has to "find his own path" in F1
Trending
Scuderia Ferrari Filming Day Backstage Footage
Back to Work | Valtteri Bottas' 2021 Seat Fit
F1 Explained | Mercedes Power Unit
How McLaren F1’s new investors have already made an impact
The deal McLaren concluded with MSP Sports Capital last year which will help the cash-strapped Formula 1 team pay for much-needed infrastructure upgrades, also points toward the future for F1 itself, says GP Racing's Stuart Codling.
Why Verstappen isn't interested in the hype game
In a pre-season where Red Bull has been unusually quiet, Max Verstappen has also been guarded about the team's fortunes in 2021. Even after trying the RB16B for the first time at Silverstone, the Dutchman was careful to manage expectations
The pros and cons of F1's 2021 rule changes
In the strategy for grand prix racing's future, 2021 represents a significant step towards the goal of closer racing and a more level playing field. That's the theory behind the latest raft of changes, but will they have the desired effect?
What Red Bull is trying to hide with its RB16B launch
Red Bull made no secret of the fact its 2021 F1 car is an evolution of its predecessor, but in keeping the same foundations while hiding some tightly-guarded updates with its RB16B, the team aims to avoid suffering the same pitfalls of previous years
How Albon plans to fight his way out of Red Bull limbo
Alex Albon has faced the media for the first time since he lost his Red Bull drive at the end of 2020 and dropped out of a Formula 1 race seat altogether. He has a history of bouncing back from setbacks, so here's what he must do to rise again
Ranked! Carlin's greatest F1 graduates
Carlin has helped guide enough drivers to Formula 1 to fill out an entire grid, plus a handful of reserves, to create a remarkable alumni list. With Yuki Tsunoda set to join that group, Motorsport.com has ranked its graduates to grace the grand prix scene...
Why Alfa's 2021 launch says more about its 2022 plans
Alfa Romeo launched its C41 with a revised front nose, but there's little to suggest it will surge up the leaderboard in 2021. As the team frankly admits, it's putting its eggs in the basket labelled 2022 and hoping to hold the eighth place it earned last year
Why Gasly’s AlphaTauri haven is a blessing and a curse
Red Bull opted not to re-sign Pierre Gasly even before it decided to drop Alex Albon and so the Frenchman's Formula 1 journey will continue at AlphaTauri. This has positive and negative connotations for one of last season's star performers.