One can understand why the latest instalment of Netflix series Drive to Survive would be a particularly tough watch for Mick Schumacher.
The son of Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher was released by Haas at the end of 2022 and his exit is covered in painstaking detail during the most recent release of the show. However, having spent so much of his life in the spotlight, even before the show came out, Schumacher's motivation to give the programme a miss stems from his disinterest in seeing himself on screen.
"I didn't watch it. . .that's a personal choice," the 23-year-old told Reuters. "I just don't necessarily feel the need to watch myself on TV, I guess."
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That doesn't account for whether he'd like to take in every other element of the show, including the cast of other drivers and team principals who also provide entertainment. However, 2022 remains a sensitive subject for Schumacher after a season in which he struggled to consistently impress en route to a 16th-place finish in the standings.
There were elevated hopes for his future after Schumacher snatched successive eight and sixth-place finishes at Silverstone and Austria, respectively. But that progress proved short-lived despite the German displaying improvement compared to his 2021 campaign.
Schumacher isn't the only member of the grid who has decided to swerve Drive to Survive, either. Reigning champion and Red Bull talisman Max Verstappen recently admitted he 'didn't know' if he'd be tuning into the show, though he hoped it would help to grow the sport's global influence.
Having moved to one of his father's old teams, Mercedes, as a reserve driver in the off-season, there's a good chance Schumacher may not get a ride at all in 2023. But the ex-Formula 2 champion is determined to make the most of a bad situation and noted he'll approach the coming season "with a learning face and a smile."
"Who knows, in 10 years maybe [I'll] say 'ah, actually [the Haas exit] was for the better," added Schumacher. "It definitely meant I had to grow up in a different way. It made me grow up as a person, made me grow up as a racing driver.
"Both years were quite tough, coming from a championship-winning year to basically not having any chances for points in the first [season] and the second one was quite tough in some other ways. I think that I've grown into a stronger driver hopefully and I'll be better prepared for whatever comes and waits for me in the future."
