Ex-Formula 1 driver Nick Heidfeld believes that Mick Schumacher could replace Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi if he has a string of bad performances this season.
Schumacher, the son of the legendary Michael Schumacher, is set to start his second season in Formula 2 with Prema Racing. Heidfeld believes that if Giovinazzi doesn’t meet team boss Frédéric Vasseur‘s expectations, Schumacher could get his chance as soon as this year.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw Mick in the car this season,” Heidfeld told Sky Germany. “If he does a great job in Formula 2 and Giovinazzi has even more problems than he suffered last year, I wouldn’t be surprised if they sat Mick in the seat mid-season.”
If Alfa Romeo stick to their driver lineup for the entire season, Heidfeld also believes that the Schumacher name could still return to the grid sooner rather than later.
“Kimi Räikkönen will soon end his career and Antonio Giovinazzi is not that strong,” he added. “So I think a young driver like Mick may have a chance.
“The good thing about the Schumacher family is that they know exactly what to do to prevent him from reaching Formula 1 too soon,” he concluded.
Schumacher was crowned the 2018 FIA European Formula 3 champion, and already has one win from his debut campaign in Formula 2.
