Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel says youngster Mick Schumacher is deserving of a full-time 2021 race seat, as the German prepares for his FP1 bow at the Nurburgring.
Schumacher, 21, has been affiliated with Ferrari since 2019 – off the back of winning the European Formula 3 title – and is currently leading the Formula 2 standings.
Schumacher has previously tested for Ferrari and Alfa Romeo but will have an outing in the C39 at the Nurburgring on Friday morning.
It will mark his first appearance at a grand prix weekend.
“I think he deserves his shot this weekend,” said Vettel, who raced against Schumacher’s seven-time World Champion father Michael in Formula 1.
“Hopefully, we see him not only [in FP1] but hopefully another Friday this year and then hopefully in a car, in a race seat next year.
“I think what I wish for him, obviously, he’s having a great season, he’s leading the Formula 2 championship and as I said, I hope he can seal a seat for next year.
“I think he’s a great kid, I really like him and I am sure he’s going to go a long way and do well. This is probably just a sort of kick-off for him.”
Schumacher is a leading contender for a 2021 race seat with Alfa Romeo.
Alfa Romeo is one of only three teams yet to determine either of its drivers for next season though Kimi Raikkonen is understood to have signalled his intent to stay on.
Incumbent Antonio Giovinazzi, who has raced for the team across the past two years, is also under consideration for a 2021 seat.
