Mick Schumacher can go on from his European Formula 3 championship win and become “one of the greats” in motorsport, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has claimed.
The son of legendary seven-time F1 champion Michael followed in his father’s footsteps by claiming the title in the junior category this past weekend at Hockenheim having taken command in the Drivers’ standings with a run of five-straight wins at one stage.
Naturally, talk of a future move upto F1 is now firmly on the cards but it was the manner with which he won the F3 crown which most impressed Wolff.
“Attention was focused on the youngster right from the start, and he was under a lot of pressure,” Wolff, who was in Germany for Mercedes’ last race in DTM stated. “It’s not easy coping with all that, especially if the season does not get off to the best of starts, as in this case.
“His performance in the second half of the season was therefore all the more impressive. He has shown that he has what it takes and that he can become one of the greats in our sport.”
Former F1 driver Gerhard Berger also gave his congratulations to Schumacher Jr.
“Of course, I am happy for Mick,” said Berger. “He has prevailed and won the title early with a podium finish by his own means today.
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“Mick doesn’t only look like his father, doesn’t only have the same posture and the same walk, he even has his father’s forearms as I noticed yesterday.
“But the decisive thing is: particularly in the past weeks, he has proven that he has his father’s racing driver genes!
“When he is able to keep on delivering this performance, his career path will bring him into F1.”
A year in F2 is considered the most likely next step for the 19-year-old, particularly with seats now largely filled in F1 for next year, but for now Mick is simply enjoying the moment.
“It’s hard to describe in words,” he said. “I feel really grateful for what I’m able to live in this moment, to live this dream. We do what we love, so to also perform well in it is the best feeling you can get.”
