Mick Schumacher posts moving tribute to father Michael nine years on from tragic accident
Mick Schumacher has paid tribute to his dad Michael, nine years on from his tragic accident.
The Formula One legend suffered a severe brain injury in a skiing accident on 29 December 2013, and he has remained out of the public eye ever since.
His son Mick has followed in his dad's footsteps in Formula One, recently parting ways with Ferrari to become Mercedes' reserve driver for 2023.
In a subtle but moving tribute to his old man, the 23-year-old changed his Instagram profile picture to an old photo of his dad in his racing suit, holding him in his arms as a young boy.
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The Schumacher family have been very private about Michael and his condition over the past nine years, but fans were offered a rare insight last year through Netflix documentary Schumacher - with many moved to tears by Mick.
He said: "Since the accident, of course, these experiences, these moments that I believe many people have with their parents are no longer present, or to a lesser extent.
"And in my view, that is a little unfair."
He continued: "I think dad and me, we would understand each other in a different way now.
"Simply because we speak a similar language, the language of motorsport. And that we would have much more to talk about.
"And that's where my head is most of the time. Thinking that would be so cool, that would be.
"I would give up everything just for that."
His poignant account left many viewers heartbroken.
On social media, one viewer wrote: "The sadness in Mick Schumacher's eyes when talking about how he wishes his dad could be there to see him race in F1!"
Another said: "Mick's interview near the end had me sobbing though… protect him at all costs."
A third added: "The fact that he would give up everything just to talk to his dad about motorsport breaks my heart."
Regardless, Mick is ploughing on with his career and making his dad proud.
He joined the Ferrari driver academy in 2019 and progressed to Formula One two years later by driving for their partner team Haas, but he was dropped for next season in favour of Nico Hulkenberg.
Mercedes had already made their interest known and it was swiftly confirmed that Schumacher would follow in his father Michael’s footsteps by joining the Formula One giants.
"I am thrilled to be part of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team as their reserve driver for 2023, and I am committed to give it my all to contribute to their performance in this very competitive and professional environment," he said.
"I take this as a new start, and I am just excited and grateful to (team principal) Toto (Wolff) and everybody involved for putting their trust in me."
Jake Massey