The recent Netflix documentary on Michael Schumacher’s life and career brought a few things into focus, one of which was that of his son Mick. Mick appeared in the documentary and was being interviewed about his dad, and how he wishes he could share his racing career with him, following his dad's skiing accident in 2013. Mick is currently racing in Formula 1 with the Haas F1 team, and it has been a tricky season for the American outfit as they struggle around with an underdeveloped car. For Mick though, reaching F1 is something that he truly deserved.

As he rose up the ranks, many assumed he would get into Formula 1 purely based on his famous surname. The Schumacher name no doubt added something to his career prospects, but equally Mick had to get the job done and he has proven that with his campaigns in FIA Formula 3 and latterly in Formula 2, and he took home the championship in both categories. The latter came after a very impressive and consistent season in 2020. Despite that famous surname, Mick Schumacher thoroughly deserves Formula 1 glory, and hopefully sooner rather than later.

A Stellar Junior Career

Mick Schumacher - Formula 2 Debut Bahrain 2019
via Sky Sports

The main reason Mick deserves his F1 chance is because of his junior career. In 2018, he was in European Formula 3 and driving for the Prema outfit, and his main rival that year was Red Bull-backed Dan Ticktum. A slow start for Schumacher saw Ticktum lead the championship, but a sensational second half of the year saw Schumacher close in on the Briton and ultimately win that year's title. This earned the German a step up into Formula 2 for the 2019 season, where he would again race for Prema. This though would not be the most impressive season for Schumacher.

Mick Schumacher - FIA F2 2020 Austria
via Formula Scout

In fairness to Mick, however, the current Formula 2 car is not an easy machine to get on top of, nor are its Pirelli tires, but he did take a win in the sprint race at Hungary. The 2020 season though saw him really show what he could do. He became one of the two main title contenders, as he faced off against fellow Ferrari Academy driver Callum Illott, and he took two race victories and a multitude of podium finishes on his way to winning the Formula 2 title that year. This impressive season earned him his race seat with Haas in 2021.

RELATED: Why Schumacher's Mercedes Comeback Didn't Work Out

Mick Schumacher On Formula 2 Podium 2019
via NDTV

We briefly mentioned the Ferrari Driver Academy. That is because Mick is a member of that academy, so his career is in effect controlled by Ferrari. This is naturally a very emotional affair given his father achieved so much success with Ferrari from 1996 to 2006. It isn’t a stretch to think that, sooner or later, Mick will be driving one of the red cars one day. When that will be though, we don’t know. Ferrari has Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in the red cars right now and they are both doing a great job. The hope will be that Schumacher is at least able to score good points in a much improved Haas for 2022.

Outperforming Mazepin

Mick Schumacher, Nikita Mazepin - Haas F1 2021 Lineup
via Formula Scout

Schumacher’s current teammate is Russian driver Nikita Mazepin. Mazepin showed some promise in Formula 2 and was fifth overall in 2020, and was signed up by Haas for 2021. This, however, was mostly down to the money that his father, Dmitri’s, business, Uralkali, produces. So much so that they became the title sponsor of the team. The biggest problem for Mazepin though is what happened over the winter of 2020-’21, where he was seen groping a woman’s chest, and publicly uploaded it onto his Instagram page. The PR disaster this caused for Haas, and the incident itself, was enough to have the Russian fired, but he held onto his seat.

Nikita Mazepin And Mick Schumacher - Zandvoort 2021
via Haas

On the track, Mazepin has also shown how aggressive he is willing to be, and has nearly put Mick into the wall on a couple of occasions. However, Schumacher has for the most part outshone his Russian teammate and has been outperforming him for the majority of the year. When all Mick can do is fight his teammate, beating him so soundly will certainly not harm his career prospects. Ideally, next year Schumacher has a car that can score solidly, and ideally, he will then still be on top of his Russian teammate, the pair having recently been confirmed at the American team for 2022.

RELATED: When Schumacher Clashed With Hill: Adelaide 1994

Where Does Schumacher Go From Here?

Formel-1-Mick-Schumacher-Haas-2021
via F1 Insider

The question of where Mick Schumacher goes from here is an interesting one. With Ferrari locked in, and Alfa Romeo looking to sign Theo Pouchaire for 2023, it's tough to see what will happen. But it is surely now obvious to everyone that Schumacher has earned the right to a Formula 1 seat, by virtue of his on-track performances and not just his surname. The surname itself is never a guarantee of success. Just look at how Bruno Senna lasted just one full season in Formula 1, with Williams in 2012. Mick though deserves all the success that comes his way, and maybe one day the Schumacher name will once again be the winner of a Formula 1 race.

Sources: Formula Scout, Sky Sports, NDTV, Formula Scout, Haas, F1 Insider, Planet F1