Mick Schumacher is trying to understand the steps his father took in order to achieve his destiny of reaching Formula 1.
The 20-year-old is currently competing in Formula 2 and has had three points finishes so far this season, including a comeback from 19th to P5 in the Baku sprint race.
But after testing for Ferrari for the first time in Bahrain last month, most anticipate F2 is just another step on the path to following Michael Schumacher into F1.
“I’m not really comparing myself to anyone now in F1, obviously it’s to my dad who I compare myself to,” Mick told Sky Sports on his approach.
“To see what we did, which steps he took and what he did different to others, and also see what positives I can take from that.
“But there are so many talented drivers in F1, otherwise they wouldn’t be there, and it’s always good to speak to each one of them and try to learn as much as possible.”
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The past 12 months have seen the emergence of Schumacher as one to watch after clinching the European F3 championship last year.
At the time, some wondered if he might make the immediate jump to F1, but he admits that was never considered.
“It is very important to do one step after the other. We have done that up until now and F2 should now be the final step before F1,” he noted.
Then, in January, came the news he had joined Ferrari’s young driver Academy, although one of his father’s former rivals, Jacques Villeneuve, has warned Schumacher to be careful.
“Right now they [Ferrari] are using his image but if he is not super fast, they will burn him,” he was quoted by GPFans.com.
“It has been fairly quiet until now but that time is over. Everyone will be looking at everything he does in an extreme way.
“If he is not quick and he makes mistakes, he will be criticised hard. He has to cope with it or go home, there is no middle road.”
Asked by Sky Sports if he thought F1 was his destiny though, Mick replied: “Yes, it is.”