Schumacher's son to race in Formula 1

Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, will follow in his father's footsteps as a Formula 1 race driver when he joins US-owned Haas team for next year's campaign.

Schumacher, 21, is currently on top of the Formula 2 championship, leading the race to the title by 14 points with one event remaining.

The young gun will join fellow F2 racer Nikita Mazepin with the duo set to replace Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen as part of a shake-up for the American racing team.

"The prospect of being on the Formula 1 grid next year makes me incredibly happy and I'm simply speechless," Schumacher said in a media statement.

"I would like to thank Haas F1 Team, Scuderia Ferrari and the Ferrari Driver Academy for placing their trust in me. I also want to acknowledge and extend my love to my parents – I know that I owe them everything. I have always believed that I would realise my dream of Formula 1.

"A huge thank you must also go to all the great motorsport fans out there who have supported me throughout my career. I will give it my all, as I always do, and I look forward to going on this journey together with Haas F1 and them."

https://twitter.com/SchumacherMick/status/1334046911653941248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1334046911653941248%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2020-12-02%2Fmichael-schumacher-son-mick-to-race-for-haas-in-f1%2F12944602

Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner said he hoped the signing of Schumacher would help the teaming improve going forward.

"I'm very pleased that we're able to confirm Mick Schumacher in our driver line-up for next season and I look forward to welcoming him into the team," Steiner said.

"The Formula 2 Championship has long served as a proving ground for talent to showcase their credentials and this year's field has undoubtedly been one of the most competitive in recent seasons. Mick has won races, collected podiums and excelled against some pretty exceptional talent in 2020.

"I firmly believe he's earned the opportunity to graduate into Formula 1 based on his performances. We have an opportunity ahead of us, as a team, to evaluate and nurture a new driver given our familiarity with our race package heading into 2021.

"We are putting in place our building blocks for the continued long-term growth of the team and I look forward to Mick's contributions both on and off the track in that process."