Reigning European Formula 3 Champion Mick Schumacher has joined Ferrari’s Driver Academy, ahead of his graduation to Formula 2 for 2019.
Schumacher, 19, swept to last year’s Formula 3 title after surging to the front of the pack with a sequence of late-season victories, comfortably finishing ahead of Red Bull junior Daniel Ticktum.
Schumacher has previously spent time at a handful of Grand Prix weekends with Mercedes and Ferrari and has now chosen the latter with which to associate for 2019.
“I am thrilled that Ferrari has entered a partnership with me and my next future in motorsport will be in red, being part of the Ferrari Driver Academy and also of the Scuderia Ferrari Family,” he said.
“Again, this is another step forward in the right direction, and I can only profit from the immense amount of expertise bundled there. Be sure I will make everything to extract whatever helps me achieve my dream, racing in Formula 1.
“It is more than obvious that Ferrari has a big place in my heart since I was born and also in the hearts of our family, so I am delighted on a personal level about this opportunity as well.
“At this stage, it is however also time to say thank you to my family, friends and partners who supported me all along and helped me arrive at this point.”
Schumacher’s father, Michael, enjoyed most of his Formula 1 success with Ferrari, taking 72 of his 91 wins, and five of his seven titles, during his 11-year spell at the team.
The younger Schumacher could be in line to make his Formula 1 test debut in 2019, with Ferrari requiring an inexperienced driver as part of the in-season test regulations.
Formula 1 regulations stipulate that 50 per cent of track time – across four days in Bahrain and Spain – must be allocated to drivers with two or fewer Grand Prix starts.
Ferrari has previously called upon Antonio Giovinazzi – and previously Charles Leclerc – to fulfill that quota but he will be ineligible due to his full-time role with Sauber.
Giovinazzi was never part of Ferrari’s Driver Academy – instead, joining as its reserve for 2017 – while Leclerc is its first graduate to make it all the way to a race seat with the Maranello outfit.
Ferrari also has close ties with Sauber and Haas, for whom both Leclerc and Giovinazzi previously tested before getting their respective full-time Formula 1 seats.
Ex-Manor and Sauber racer Pascal Wehrlein has joined to replace Toro Rosso-bound Daniil Kvyat in a developmental role, with his primary role to be on the simulator.
Schumacher joins fellow Formula 2 racers Callum Ilott and Giuliano Alesi, ex-F3 team-mates Robert Shwartzman and Marcus Armstrong, Italian F4 champion Enzo Fittipaldi and Brazilian Gianluca Petecof on Ferrari’s scheme.
