Sebastian Vettel claims the pressure must be kept off Mick Schumacher as he makes his way up the motorsport ladder.
The 19-year-old son of seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher, Mick was confirmed as a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy this past weekend and will race in F2 in 2019 with Prema.
On the same day of his big announcement, Vettel & Schumacher teamed up for Team Germany at the Race of Champions, finishing second, and the current Ferrari race driver was asked about the team’s latest signing.
“It’s great for him,” the 31-year-old told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I hope he stays with us for a long time and one day he can drive with me. Or maybe I can hand over the steering wheel to him when I stop one day.”
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With his move, the possibility of Schumacher racing in F1 with Sauber next year can’t be ruled out if he impressed again in F2, but Vettel doesn’t think that expectation should be made.
“We shouldn’t put too much pressure on Mick, and we should let him go his own way,” he continued to the Italian publication.
“Personally, I think that if we just let him do his think, he can become a star.”
Schumacher can also now rely on a new manager with speculation his Ferrari move will also include becoming a client of Nicolas Todt, son of FIA president Jean and highly-regarded in junior categories as a co-owner of the ART Grand Prix team.