Ecclestone in Schumacher claim: 'That spoilt a lot of things for him'

Ex-Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone believes Mick Schumacher wouldhave succeeded in F1 had he been with the Red Bull Juniorprogramme. German Schumacher rose through the ranks with Ferrari,taking the F2 championship for Prema before making the step up tothe highest echelon of single-seater racing with Haas in 2021.After just two seasons - the second filled with incidents early on- the American-owned outfit opted to part ways with Schumacher andopt instead for compatriot Nico Hulkenberg, who had been out of aseat for three years. Schumacher's best result during his F1 stintcame at the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix, where he crossed the line insixth place. 'That spoilt things for him' Since leaving Haas,Schumacher has performed development and reserve duties forMercedes and, for the upcoming season, has signed up to Alpine'sWorld Endurance Championship Hypercar effort. Schumacher insistedthat Alpine's presence in F1 made it an “interesting factor” whilemulling over the WEC driver. But Ecclestone has suggested his F1career could have panned out differently had he joined forces withRed Bull's development programme. “He would have been in good handsin a team like Red Bull with its junior programme, where they helpyoung drivers to win," Ecclestone told the German Press Agency."That spoilt a lot of things for him. If his father had been therewith him, he could have had a completely different influence onhim.”