Automobile Racing - Mick Schumacher faces the test of his first appearance at Le Mans.
Mick Schumacher isn't fussed about the extended overnight hours for his debut at Le Mans. This coming Saturday will mark the 25-year-old's first appearance at the esteemed 24-hour auto racing event. In an interview with dpa, he said, "I don’t think you can specifically prepare for Le Mans because the race is very unique."
"Night driving is definitively not like what we're used to as race car drivers." Despite this, he is aided by having test driven the course and picking up on its layout. Additionally, Schumacher will have two practice sessions before the race, one of which will take place in the evening, aided in its organization by renowned French footballer Zinedine Zidane.
Schumacher on Night Driving: It'll be lit enough
"Additionally, I've also driven at night during a test in Aragon," Mick Schumacher shared, "and my teammates said Le Mans is easier compared to that. At Aragon, it was pitch dark on the track. In Le Mans, aside from all the race cars' lights, there are also some lights in the buildings. It's sufficient lighting."
Mick Schumacher will be behind the wheel of an Alpine Hypercar alongside the Frenchmen Nicolas Lapierre (40) and Matthieu Vaxiviere (29). "The most challenging part will be spotting the start and finish flags. You can't get anything wrong here, but you need to be fast," Schumacher emphasized. His father Michael raced at Le Mans in 1991 prior to his Formula 1 career, finishing fifth in a Sauber-Mercedes. However, Michael Schumacher hasn't been racing since then.
This year is Mick Schumacher's inauguration into the World Endurance Championship. After two years with the American Haas racing team, he didn't receive a fixed place in Formula 1 for the 2023 season and has been serving as a reserve and test driver for Mercedes ever since. With his dual role this year, Mick seeks to increase his prospects of a comeback as a consistent driver in Formula 1.
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Mick Schumacher is set to participate in the World Endurance Championship, specifically the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France, marking his first entry into motorsport's prestigious event. The German racer expressed that the unique nature of Le Mans makes specific preparation challenging.
In preparation for the night shift of racing in Le Mans, Schumacher has drawn experience from night driving during a test in Aragón, Spain, assuring that the lighting in Le Mans will be sufficient.
As the Alpine Hypercar driver, Schumacher will share the ride with Frenchmen Nicolas Lapierre and Matthieu Vaxiviere, with the challenge of spotting the start and finish flags being particularly noteworthy.
Schumacher's participation in this year's World Endurance Championship comes after he served as a reserve and test driver for Mercedes following two years with the American Haas racing team, where he didn't secure a fixed spot in Formula 1 for the 2023 season.
Germany's Mick Schumacher will be participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans as part of the international motorsport scene, following in his father Michael's footsteps who also competed at Le Mans in 1991 before making a name for himself in Formula 1.
