Mick Schumacher looks set to take another step closer to Formula 1, having recently tested the Italian-based Prema Powerteam car ahead of a potential move to European Formula 3.
The German driver had competed in ADAC Formula 4 this year, collecting one win and finishing tenth in the overall standings. While his victory came quite early in the year, Mick would struggle to score points in the few rounds that followed, before eventually moving up the grid towards the end of the season.
His Formula 3 tests had been overseen by Luca Baldisserri, the chief of Ferrari‘s young driver Academy. To add, the Italian newspaper ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport‘ recently confirmed there had been “Another Schumi in Maranello.” As a result, it has been highly suggested that Schumacher will soon join Ferrari’s ranks.
Current Ferrari Youth, Lance Stroll competed for the Prema Powerteam outfit this season, ending his European F3 campaign in fifth place. Stroll has confirmed that he’ll return to the series next year, as well as possibly taking up a role as a Williams Martini Racing development driver.
However; Ferrari isn’t the only team showing interest, with the ‘Kolner Express Tabloid‘ reporting that Schumacher has been invited to Mercedes‘ forthcoming end-of-year ‘Stars and Cars’ celebration in Stuttgart.
“We asked Mick because of the close relationships between Mercedes and his family,” a Mercedes spokesman said. “It’s a great learning experience for him.”
The fight between top teams for the next young star, seems reminiscent of the Mercedes and Red Bull battle to get Max Verstappen into a youth program during 2014, when the Dutchman put in a spectacular performance, during his rookie year in European F3.