F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Former Ferrari boss isn't buying the Schumacher hype

Former Scuderia Ferrari boss Cesare Fiorio played down the hype surrounding Mick Schumacher after the Ferrari junior's impressive F1 baptism of fire in Bahrain.

Fiorio - who was the Scuderia's acting sporting director from 1989 to 1991 - says too much has been made of the young German who still has a lot to prove.

"In Formula 2 he's driving for Prema, a very competitive team," said the 79-year-old Fiorio, speaking to Italian website Tuttomotoriweb.

"Yet he was eighth and sixth in Bahrain, after starting from pole on the reverse grid."

Fiorio was also unconvinced by Schumacher's merits in this week's in-season test at Sakhir, where the young German finished runner-up to Red Bull's Max Verstappen on the first day of testing.

"It's true he finished second in testing, but no one was really pushing," argues Fiorio.

"Verstappen was faster than Schumacher with tyres that were two steps harder than his.

"I think he's just being hyped and there is a lot of attention on him, nothing more."

Some people will need a bit more time before they see the light…

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Haas targets top-10 return in Canada as team unleashes VF-26 upgrade

Read also: Haas is set to roll out a heavily revised VF-26 in Montreal this…

8 hours ago

Mercedes confirms Montreal upgrade: ‘We need to respond’

Toto Wolff has fired a clear warning to Formula 1’s chasing pack ahead of this…

9 hours ago

Schumacher facing challenging Indy 500 debut after qualifying

Mick Schumacher is officially locked into the field for his very first Indianapolis 500, though…

11 hours ago

A Lotus blossoms in Monaco for the very first time

Colin Chapman's Team Lotus entered Grand Prix racing on this day in 1958, fielding a…

12 hours ago

Palou takes stunning Indy 500 pole for Ganassi: ‘I have no words’

Talk about a masterclass in speed! On Sunday at the Brickyard, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex…

13 hours ago

Coulthard flags hidden challenge behind Antonelli’s shock title bid

David Coulthard believes Kimi Antonelli’s rapid rise to the top of the Formula 1 world…

14 hours ago