I never saw ‘The Godfather’ when it was originally released in 1972 – I was around 4 years old at the time – but I have watched it several times since. Not only has the film gone on to achieve legendary status – often ranked amongst any Top 5 movies of all time – but its cast of actors would do justice to any who’s who of greatest movie stars.

Two years later, I still wasn’t privy to watching any part of the sequel, yet many professional reviewers and millions of movie fans have in the intervening five decades declared ‘Godfather: Part II’ the greatest follow-up in movie history. With the addition of Robert De Niro to the cast, in place of the legend that was Marlon Brando, it wasn’t exactly a step back from the original A-list.

Now I didn’t see these epics till the mid to late 80’s and prior to this, I had fallen in love with ‘Star Wars’, when at nine years old my mother took me to the cinema where my imagination was overwhelmed by the sci-fi effects. In 1980, I headed by myself to see ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ and in 1983, it was the turn of ‘Return of the Jedi’.

Of course, opinions on movies are very subjective. Suffice it to say, I never needed to read a critic’s opinion to feel vindicated in my views. Not only movies but music, art, travel, food, partners, sports stars – anything really.

Still, I question, how many people are there that don’t see ‘Empire’ as the greatest chapter in the nine film ‘Star Wars’ saga? Or ‘The Dark Knight’ being the highlight of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.

Yet the Godfather films were only ever planned as a duo. The third instalment, sixteen years later, was pushed by the film studio, not the director, Francis Ford Coppola, and it was generally panned in reviews. Possibly the biggest criticism offered was the role of Sofia Coppola, a minnow amongst an ocean of world class talent.

I’ve concluded, the point I’m making, if there is one, is that in over a century of movie making, there’s not many creations that have superseded their genesis. And yet forgoing their general cynicism, the collective F1 media has shown remarkable romanticism towards the son of legend Michael Schumacher. My opinion of this narrative has always been REALLY??

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Mick no better than Lance?

Alberto Ascari, the first driver-son of a former champion, was a double World Champion many years before I was born – but I have witnessed sons and nephews achieve F1 status with the benefit of their forebear’s achievements.

It is one thing if they’re deserving of the opportunity as Jacques Villeneuve, Damon Hill and Nico Rosberg have proven. Quite another when Bruno Senna has a huge amount of support from Gerhard Berger and Bernie Ecclestone due to who his uncle was..

Over the last few years, people have been incessant with their views on Lance Stroll. He’s only in F1 because his father is a multi-billionaire, and I concur. But is a billionaire’s support any different to the legacy of a legendary champion?

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Micheal would never had achieved 8th Title

The thought has often pervaded my conscious thoughts when being angered by writers who seemingly have forgotten to remain neutral. I’m writing an opinion piece and therefore, I’m honest and blunt, in giving my opinion, however I remain transparent with my views. So I question, at what stage of his career path did Mick Schumacher, deserve that blind loyalty??

Michael Schumacher was an absolute titan of F1 from his debut in 1991 through to his last race in red in 2006. He rewrote so much of what was acceptable as a driver and his ruthlessness was only second to his ability. His return in 2010 with the Mercedes team appears, in hindsight, to have been misplaced.

Irrespective of what the team members suggest 10 years after his shocking crash on the ski slopes, it was highly unlikely that he would have been a title winner in silver (Mercedes). Whilst his inherent skills would have remained, you could already see instances of rustiness creep into his driving.

What many have forgotten over the years is that in 2012, Schumacher had been asked by Ross Brawn and Niki Lauda to extend his contract. It was only his reluctance to commit that forced the Mercedes team of Ross and Niki to make overtures to Lewis Hamilton who was still happily ensconced at Mclaren. Maybe Michael at 41 felt he no longer had the drive required.

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Ralf: First Schumacher sequel failure

Now, Ralf Schumacher entered F1 in 1997 with Jordan. Willi Weber, the Schumachers manager had convinced both Mclaren and Jordan of his familial talent. I have absolutely no doubt, many of you will be off throwing all manner of insults right now. Mclaren? You Italian ******!

Well, I was at Silverstone during some F1 testing when Ralf appeared behind the wheel of a Mclaren MP4/11 on 27th August 1996. I didn’t rate him particularly and throughout 1997 found his ability to be less than that of his team-mate Fisichella.

Of course, Weber managed to get him into Williams, when they were a force, and he won some races there. But contrary to Murray Walker asserting that the younger brother would be better than the senior, it never transpired.

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Steady Mick doesn’t impress

Fast forward to 2021 and the Schumacher name had re-entered F1 with the Haas team. Nobody was expecting any staggering results from a team that had already declared they would not be developing their car at all throughout the season. So really all Mick had to do was beat his teammate Mazepin. And if you look at the Russian driver’s racing record, Mick should not have had any problem as he was a winner of the 2018 F3 and 2020 F2 championships.

Except if you keep an eye on the F1 feeder series, at no stage did Mick confound critics with his ability. His first year was very much a learning curve and the second a modest drive to the title. There was no evidence of a swashbuckling style like his father’s, much less like Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris or most recently Oscar Piastri.

Perhaps the most significant part of his success as a Ferrari Academy driver was he had the factory support to be part of the Prema team – during his F3 and F2 campaigns – i.e. the greatest team outside of F1.

With the tragedy of war upon Ukraine in 2022, Mazepin was effectively removed from the F1 grid and replaced with Kevin Magnussen, essentially a middle-rank driver. The romantics in the press spoke of Mick just having to compete against Kevin and Ferrari would swoop in for his ability – thus rounding out the circle of Ferrari’s father and son.

Oh please!!!

Firstly, Sergio Perez used to be a Ferrari Academy driver. Second, Lance Stroll used to be a Ferrari Academy driver. Case and point.

In fact a great many young wealthy drivers have been in their Academy and only Leclerc has risen to the fabled team. Others, like Giovanazzi have had roles in Sauber or Haas over the years but their ability, whilst carefully monitored, has achieved no long lasting legacy.

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Steiner did what had to be done to Mick 

What is never mentioned, either through ignorance, or lazy reporting, is that Ferrari at no stage, pre Enzo Ferrari’s death in 1988, ever viewed a driver as anything other than a cog in the wheel. To quote Enzo directly – “Ferrari cars win races, the drivers lose them!” He would never have countenanced any talk of an heir of one of his drivers for his team, not unless they were exceptional.

Even Mattia Binotto, who seemingly wouldn’t have pulled the skin off custard, knew that Mick was not sufficiently talented to warrant a place at his disintegrating Ferrari team! And the poor man was constantly being asked about Mick to Ferrari. Just how stupid has the collective press become??

In the event, Guenther Steiner made the decision easy. Magnussen completely annihilated the young man, Gunther watched as Mick threw his car at the scenery too often and the Haas boss subsequently incurred the wrath of Uncle Ralf – always known during his time in F1 as one of the most arrogant, and rudest individuals known to the F1 paddock.

“Oh if Michael had still been around, he would have advised Mick” say the rose tinted brigade, and he would have been able to guide him within the piranha infested waters of the circus. And maybe there’s merit to that and yet in spite of all the support, maybe his father would have recognised his son’s limitations before the press would have offered any criticism – much like Lauda did of his own son.

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Even Williams not interested in Mick Schumacher

Mercedes then employed him as a reserve driver in 2023 and despite reports of his ability and his skill, there have been no takers of the legend’s son in any other F1 team that uses Mercedes power units.

Let’s be straight, that means Williams, of course. Mclaren has two great drivers, Aston Martin has a legend and a son of the owner as their drivers, so that only left Seargent’s seat; and he was kept.

So Mick has followed his father’s career in reverse, from F1 to Hypercars. Or for those who wish to be pedantic, Michael graduated from Group C (the late 80s – early 90s equivalent to Hypercars) to F1. Although if Alpine run their long-distance motor sport anything like their F1 cars, I genuinely feel sorry for the young Mick.

I guess at my age I have been lucky enough to have seen some of the greatest driving talent in history. It goes without saying, on the yin/yang scale, I’ve also seen some of the worst.

Whilst Mick does not deserve to be compared to the likes of Taki Inoue, Yuji Ide or Jean-Denis Delatraz – neither does he deserve to be thought of in the pantheon of a Nick Heidfeld, Derek Warwick or Bruno Giacomelli (Google has the answers!)

Everything I’ve read suggests he’s a thoroughly likeable bloke and I applaud that but part of me couldn’t help wondering what his father or uncle would have said or demanded of their F1 teams – if like Mick at Haas his seat didn’t fit properly during the 2021 season.

I believe I’m correct in saying that Gunther received a call one day from Mick’s mother pointing out this simple fact. I can only imagine what the acerbic and unfashionably honest Gunther would have made of that!

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