Schumi’s son to race in F2 next season
BERLIN: Mick Schumacher, the teenage son of ex-Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, will race in Formula Two next season, ending speculation he might skip F2 and step up to F1 in 2019.
“For me, this is a logical step, because I want to continue to improve my technical experience and driving skills,” the 19-yearold said in a press release issued by his Italian team Prema Racing.
The confirmation pours cold water on speculation he would leap up to F1 in 2019 after winning the European Formula Three title last month, but he has made no secret that he one day wants to race in the top tier.
After dominating the second half of the F3 season by claiming five straight wins, Schumacher’s title win meant he qualified for a FIA ‘super licence’ — a prerequisite for the jump to Formula One.
Bearing one of the most famous names in motorsports is not always easy for the German, who started out racing as “Mick Betsch”, using his mother Corinna’s maiden name to avoid bringing attention to himself.
World champion Lewis Hamilton has already said he is “100 percent certain that there will be another Schumacher in F1” and backs him to follow in the footsteps of his father, who won seven F1 titles.
“I have no problem being compared to my dad, because my dad is the best — that’s why he’s my role model,” Mick Schumacher said in an RTL documentary.
“Even other world champions compare themselves with my dad.”
However, his father’s condition remains a mystery as the fifth anniversary approaches of his skiing accident.
Michael Schumacher, 49, has not been seen in public since suffering head injuries during a accident on Dec 29, 2013 while skiing with Mick and his condition is a secret closely guarded by his family.
ALONSO DAYTONA-BOUND
Two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso will return to Daytona in January for another tilt at the Rolex 24 Hours endurance race, Wayne Taylor Racing said on Tuesday.
Alonso competed last year with United Autosports, a team owned by McLaren boss Zak Brown, before going on to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Toyota.
He said farewell to Formula One at Sunday’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“Returning to the United States is always special. The atmosphere created by the fans is unique throughout an incredible weekend,” said the Spaniard. “I really hope to fight for the win, as well as having fun.”
Toyota world endurance driver Kamui Kobayashi will join the 37-year-old, who is scheduled to race the Indianapolis 500 in May, at the Jan 26-27 race along with Wayne Taylor regulars Jordan Taylor and Renger van der Zande.