After taking part in the recent Formula 1 test with Pirelli at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Mick Schumacher drew comparisons to his previous experience in Formula 2 as they test tyres that do not require blankets to heat up. Tyre blankets are banned in the feeder series as part of a cost-saving measure, with F1 looking to follow suit in 2024. Although many of the drivers on the current grid have raced in F2 prior to reaching Formula 1, the switch to blanket-less tyres has been met with hostility by some including 2019 Formula 2 champion George Russell. Schumacher won the series prior to joining Haas in 2021, and made the comparison when asked for feedback by Pirelli engineers according to Chief Engineer Simone Berra. "He commented that the level of performance or the level of management was similar to what he was used to in F2 with no blankets," Berra told media, including RacingNews365.com . "That for us means that we are almost at the target and then he said obviously that an F1 car is a different car, so you need to be more careful when you go out with no blankets and low temperatures."
Pirelli: Schumacher had to adapt driving style
Despite his previous experience running on similar rubber, Berra explained that Schumacher needed to adapt himself to the new tyre specification. He added: "The feedback at the end was was fine. It's more difficult to take into account Mick's feedback because he is not used to driving this year and it was his first test with no blankets, so it was his first approach with this methodology. "This meant the first runs were affected by this way to comprehend or to get used to drive with no blankets. There was a first run where he adapted his driving style to suit these changes." Schumacher has not raced since his final appearance with Haas at the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but he has still been active as Mercedes' test and reserve driver. Toto Wolff has praised the German and believes teams are missing out by not having him as part of their driver line-up.
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