Schumacher is protected: 'We have also seen this with Hamilton and Verstappen'

Whether that attention is sustained over a longer period will partly depend on performance. Christian Nimmervoll of Motorsport-Total.com tells Motorsport.com that this is why the attention will be huge this season, especially during the first race.

"But I also expect the interest to drop off quickly after the first races if top results are out of reach. The hype may return later, however, when he takes his first podium, wins his first race and fights for the title for the first time."

Stepping out of Michael Schumacher's shadow almost impossible

Even if he becomes world champion, Nimmervoll does not think the young Schumacher will be as popular as his father. He really put F1 on the map in Germany and both the German public and the media seem to realise that these are very big shoes for Mick to fill.

The media are therefore still cautious about him in his own country. "It will remain that way for some time, until Mick gains more confidence in himself and starts to develop his own personality. We have seen this happen before with Lewis Hamilton and his father Anthony and to some extent with Max and Jos [Verstappen]," Nimmervoll says.