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Franz Tost believes the future of F1 in Germany, as entertainment and as a sport, is dependent on Mick Schumacher.
The 67-year-old compares the lack of interest that Germans had in the 2022 FIFA World Cup to how it could be for F1 in the future. He said:
“Germany is spoiled. You can even feel it in football. I’m convinced that the lack of interest at the last World Cup also has something to do with the poor results of the national team.
“If they had reached the final, half of Germany would have followed the games in Qatar as well. One thing is certain: people need heroes, and they need them made of flesh and blood, not metal.”
Similarly, with very few German drivers left in the sport, the interest could see a decline. Sebastian Vettel, former Aston Martin driver, retired at the end of the 2022 season. Mick Schumacher, former Haas driver, lost his seat and joined Mercedes as a reserve driver. Nico Hulkenberg remains as the only German driver amongst 20 competing in the championship in 2023.
With Hulkenberg alone rests German spirits in the new season and to Tost that is a lot of weight to bear. The 35-year-old has had a long F1 career and has accumulated over 500 career points. However, the future lies in the hands of the younger generation i.e. for now Schumacher.
“Mick’s career determines the interest in Germany. Nico Hülkenberg cannot do it alone.”
“They [the German public] wanted to see Michael Schumacher win back then and not the engine or the car from Mercedes. Only heroes trigger a boom. As Michael Schumacher showed.
“He could have become the new hero, but unfortunately he’s out of Formula 1 for now. What a shame.”
Tost revealed that Schumacher was a contender for the AlphaTauri seat in 2023, but it was Nyck De Vries who was able to secure it.
“I would have liked to have seen him at AlphaTauri, not because of the name, but because I believe in his talent and abilities.
“Because you don’t just win the Formula 3 and Formula 2 Championships. But unfortunately it didn’t work out in the end.”
With Schumacher out of a seat in the next season, it is unclear when he will make a return to the grid. However, if Tost is right and the future of F1 does rely on Schumacher, he must find a way back and quick.
Headline Image Credit: Formula 1 Official Website