Mick's Diary: Bringing Performance to the Track

The past few months have been busy for Mick. Not only has he been working in the simulator and travelling to races, but he's also driven the W14 for the first time and attended the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

In the latest chapter of Mick's Diary, he talks through what his schedule has been like since we last sat down and chatted to him in Australia, how he's enjoying working with the Team and what it was like getting behind the wheel of several Mercedes-AMG F1 cars.

Hi everyone. Welcome to another chapter of my diary!

Plenty has happened since we last spoke. The season is now in full swing, and a lot has been going on. I've done the first test in the W14 which was great. Completing the Pirelli tyre test in Barcelona and getting back in the car was a good feeling, and very special. For me, it was a big step up driving the W14. I know the team are working hard to create a winning car and I have no doubt that they will.

I've seen this in the past couple of weeks, how determined the team is and how everyone's got their heads down, focused and how responsive they are to issues and feedback. There have been loads of things that I've learned from the team so far and I really appreciate that. Things that I can take forward in my career.

It's been a very busy, but good, period in the simulator too. I'm aware that the simulator is never going to be a 100 percent replication of real life. You have certain factors that play a role driving the real car that you just don't have in the simulator. In the sim, it's all about having as close correlation as possible with reality. That's what we are working for, and I feel like we are taking the actions necessary to bring the simulator as close as possible to the real thing.

Spain was a tough day and long night in the simulator on the Friday, so it was nice to see the comments afterwards from Toto and the drivers. What's also important is crediting the people behind the scenes in the simulator and the whole team in Brackley and Brixworth who work day and night to push the development forward.

There have been loads of things that I've learned from the team so far and I really appreciate that.

Mick Schumacher

I've definitely been on a learning curve since joining the team, but now I've settled in more and have a deeper understanding of the car itself. As I have driven the W14 too, I have a reference so can really judge the changes that the drivers make on track and relate to those feelings that I had driving it. It's a different kind of learning now.

The simulator work can be quite tough mentally. You are driving in front of a computer, so the screen makes your eyes tired. Whenever I'm away from it, I try to reduce the screen time, not sit glued to my phone or computer.

Most recently I was at the Goodwood Festival of Speed with the Team. It was my first time there and I really enjoyed seeing so many fans. It was a shame the weather meant we couldn't run on Saturday, but Sunday was super special.

I got to drive the 2021 car, the W12. It was amazing how much grip the car had and the speed it could carry through the corners, so it makes sense how Lewis and Valtteri were able to win races and fight for championships in it.

Driving the 2011 W02, the car that my dad drove for the Team, was particularly special and I had a lot of emotions driving it. I even did some donuts in it. I want to say a big thank you to everyone in the Team for creating the opportunity and making it possible.

There's been lots going on, as you can probably tell! So when I'm not working, I've been enjoyed being out in nature and having some proper time off. I feel like I've found a good balance so far. I've been just as busy as I have been in previous years and I wouldn't have thought that prior to the start of the year. That's been a good thing, keeping me sharp and hopefully that'll prepare me for when I am back in a car.

Driving the 2011 W02, the car that my dad drove for the Team, was particularly special and I had a lot of emotions driving it.

Mick Schumacher

I just wanted to finish this entry by thanking you, the fans, for all your support. I hope everyone is doing well and looking out for each other. Hopefully these diary entries give a good insight into what I'm up to.

I'll be checking in with you later in the year so until then, take care.