Flaw definition

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton competes to win the race ahead of Mercedes’ Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas and Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen during the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Spa on August 30, 2020.(photo: JOHN THYS / POOL / AFP)

The Finn, who started his career with Williams, said he owed his career to the Williams family and their racing team.

Six-time world champion Hamilton said he once dreamt of driving a Williams car and regarded Frank Williams as one of the most honest people in the sport.

“It was his life project and I think he’s done really well and I think the whole family should be very proud of what they’ve achieved,” said Bottas, talking to reporters during a video news conference ahead of the Monza event.

“I still remember the day, the first time when I went to the factory,” he added.

“I met Frank and then eventually I got that opportunity to become a test driver and then used that opportunity and they gave me the chance to be a race driver. They really believed in me and they gave me the opportunity to show what I can do.”

Bottas won his first F1 points and first podium with the veteran British team.

He said: “I was quite sad to see the news that the family is kind of stepping away from the race team and even Frank is going to be pretty much aside.

“The many things they achieved in Formula One is really impressive by a family team so it’s very sad, but I’m very thankful to everyone there.”

Hamilton said he had always been an admirer of Williams.

“I’m a big fan of Sir Frank and his incredible contribution to the sport,” said Hamilton.

“He was always so positive to me and he was one of the people I respected most here.

“I think he was probably one of the most honest, if not the most honest, people here in F1 so it’s definitely sad to see the end of the chapter, the end of a book, but I think their legacy will continue as I believe they keep the name at least.”

In this file photo taken on August 4, 2019 Prema Racing’s German driver Mick Schumacher celebrates after winning the Formula Two championship race of the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Mogyorod near Budapest. Mick Schumacher, the son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, will drive in Formula One for the first time with Haas next season, the team announced on December 2, 2020, leaving their new recruit “emotionally exploding” at the realisation of a dream.(ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP)

“It’s incredible and it definitely hasn’t sunk in yet,” the 21-year-old said in a press conference.

“I’m happy it’s been decided — I have been chasing this dream since I was three years old.”

Schumacher junior will partner Russian driver Nikita Mazepin, another Formula One debutant, in the Haas line-up.

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner welcomed his new drivers, tweeting: “Super excited about having two rookies in our team for next year! Welcome, Mick!”

They replace Haas’s current driver pairing of Romain Grosjean — who escaped a fiery crash in Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix — and Kevin Magnussen.

Haas will be counting on their 2021 pairing to prove their mettle on the track after Grosjean and Magnussen’s frugal haul of just three points between them this campaign with two races to go.

Schumacher has shone in Formula Two this season and leads the standings by 14 points after achieving 10 podium finishes and feature-race victories at Monza and Sochi.

He will get a taste of what is needed at the elite level when he takes part in Haas’ free practice ahead of the 2020 season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 11 before participating in testing a few days later.

Confirming the news 24 hours after Mazepin’s appointment, Haas announced that they had signed Schumacher “in a multi-year agreement”.

“This is definitely a new challenge,” Schumacher added.

“I look forward to finding out what it’s like — how to improve and develop a car from the beginning to the end of the year.”

– ‘Limelight’ –

The German said he was prepared for the huge media attention as he prepares to follow in his illustrious father’s footsteps.

“I’ve been in the limelight since my childhood, especially because I chose this sport, but so far I have come to terms with it. The results speak for themselves,” he added.

“This attention has always been normal for me. The important thing is to have people who tell you the truth, who keep you grounded and help you along the way.

“And I’m lucky to have people like that around me.”

Steiner said the Formula Two championship had long served as a proving ground for talent to showcase their credentials.

He added: “Mick has won races, collected podiums and excelled against some pretty exceptional talent in 2020.

“I firmly believe he’s earned the opportunity to graduate into Formula One based on his performances.

“We are putting in place our building blocks for the continued long-term growth of the team and I look forward to Mick’s contributions both on and off the track in that process.”

The Schumacher family fiercely protect the privacy of both Mick and his stricken father.

Michael Schumacher has not been seen in public since suffering a serious head injury in a skiing accident in December 2013.

His wife Corinna, Mick’s mother, issued a rare statement on the Formula One legend’s 50th birthday in January 2019, saying the family were doing “everything humanly possible” to help her husband.

Schumacher paid tribute to his parents, saying: “I owe them everything.”

British driver Lewis Hamilton this year won his seventh Formula One world title to equal Michael Schumacher’s all-time record.