Schumacher's son in step toward F1 drive

Apr 14, 2017 - 12:58 PM Mick Schumacher, the son of Formula One champion Michael Schumacher, is taking the next step in his motor racing career when he competes in the weekend's Formula 3 season-opener at Silverstone.

After racing in kart and Formula 4, the 18-year-old has moved up to F3, a series which for many young racing hopefuls is a stepping stone to Formula One.

"It is my first year, for me it is about learning and hopefully to be up with the frontrunners in the rookierankings," he told dpa during recent pre-season testing in Spielberg, Austria.

Schumacher will be competing in 10 F3 races, including three before home fans in Germany, at Norisring, Nuerburgring and Hockenheim, for the Italian Prema Powerteam.

Not surprisingly as the son of a seven-time F1 champion, Mick Schumacher has racing in his blood.

"I have been doing it since I was a child. I could not imagine a life without racing," he said.

So far the younger Schumacher has a second world championship place and second European championship place in the kart series, while finishing second overall last season in F4.

Several F1 teams are keeping their eye on the young racer including world championship winners Mercedes.

Schumacher says he wants to measure himself against the best, "and they are all in Formula One."

However, following in the footsteps of teenage F1 drivers such as Red Bull's Max Verstappen, 19, or last season's 18-year-old F3 winner Lance Stroll of Williams is not under consideration just now.

"They made the step of going in to Formula One early. I am not yet ready for that. I do my own thing," he said.

"I still have to prove myself as a driver and continue to make improvements."

Mick will not have his father at his side after the 91-time F1 grand prix winner's ski accident in late December 2013.

Michael Schumacher suffered severe head injuries in the accident and since September 2014 has been with his family at their home in Gland, Switzerland.

Mick, as with other members and close friends of the family, have given no further details, but in an interview with n-tv, the German TV partner for F3, he said: "My role model is my papa, simply because he is the best and my idol."

Source: AAP