Mick Schumacher is '95% happy' with F1 debut

In the days when his father ruled supreme, you'd have thought you were reading the results the wrong way up if 'M Schumacher' was listed last of the finishers.

But that is how it was here in Bahrain where Mick, son of the seven-time world champion Michael, made his Formula One debut for backmarkers Haas yesterday.

With his parents at home in Switzerland, where Michael is hidden away from public view after his skiing accident more than seven years ago, Mick warmed up for his big day with a game of relaxing chess. But he found it tough going, spinning off in the early stages. 

'I was 95 per cent happy today,' said the 22-year-old, the reigning Formula Two champion. 'But I can't say 100 per cent because of that spin.

'The tyres were cold and that was the problem. But there are positives that I can build on.

'I am more used to being in the top five than being overtaken so much, but it is something I need to cope with and learn from this season.' 

Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel who grew up in awe of Schumacher Snr, endured a horrendous weekend on his Aston Martin debut. 

The four-time world champion qualified 18th, was then thrown to the back of the grid and handed three points on his racing licence for failing to slow sufficiently under double-waved yellow flags.

In the race, he crashed into Alpine's Esteban Ocon, earning a 10-second penalty and two more points.

Aston's inauspicious return to Formula One was hardly soothed by a mediocre 10th place start and finish for the boss's son Lance Stroll.

So much for his father Lawrence's brag that the British brand's involvement is the best thing that has happened to Formula One in years!

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