Schumacher Jnr wins European F3 title
Mick Schumacher, son of record Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, has become the first German driver to win the Formula Three European Championship.
Schumacher, 19, finished second behind Estonian Juri Vips yesterday on the Hockenheim circuit in the season’s penultimate race.
Before today’s finale, Schumacher has moved 51 points clear of his nearest rival, Britain’s Daniel Ticktum, and can no longer be caught in the third-tier racing series to clinch the first title of his young career.
‘‘To be honest I didn’t think it would feel so nice. I’m just flabbergasted,’’ Schumacher said.
The title gives Schumacher enough points to gain a super licence allowing him to compete in Formula One. However, a move into F1 racing next season has been ruled out.
Schumacher and his management aim to continue racing at junior level, although a move into Formula Two or the Japanese Super Formula series is thought to be a possibility.
‘‘In the next few weeks we will think intensively about what to drive next year,’’ Schumacher said.
Schumacher joins four-time Formula One world champion Alain Prost, of France, and former F1 driver Riccardo Patrese, of Italy, to have won the F3 European Championship.
Current F1 drivers Esteban Ocon and Lance Stroll are also F3 European champions.
Michael Schumacher won the F3 German title in 1990 before starting his Formula One career one year later. The seven-time Formula One champion ended his career in 2012 and has not made a public appearance since suffering severe head injuries in a skiing accident in late 2013.