Sebastian Vettel believes Mick Schumacher’s practice run at the Eifel Grand Prix will be the “kick-off” of his Formula 1 career.
The son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher will make his first F1 race weekend appearance as he replaces Antonio Giovinazzi on Friday morning in the Alfa Romeo.
His opportunity comes as a full-time move to the Swiss team appears all-but-certain for the German in 2021 and few are more excited by that prospect than Vettel.
“He deserves his shot this weekend and hopefully we see him not only tomorrow but hopefully [on] another Friday this year and then hopefully in a race seat next year – that’s what I wish for him,” said the four-time world champion.
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“Obviously, he’s having a great season, he’s leading the Formula 2 championship and I hope he can seal a seat for next year.
“I think he’s a great kid, I really like him and I’m sure he’s going to go a long way and do well. So this is probably just a sort of kick-off.”
Of course, teammate Charles Leclerc knows all too well the path Schumacher is taking as he took the same one through the Ferrari Academy.
The Monegasque also made his first F1 appearance in Friday Practice with Haas and Sauber across 2016 and 2017.
And commenting on what Mick will face, Charles tried to ease the pressure.
“Looking at the conditions of this weekend it is probably not the easiest of debuts,” he said. “But speaking to him, I think every time he tried a Formula 1 car or a new car it was always in the rain so it won’t change much for him.
“It is going to be a tricky session but he doesn’t have to prove anything. I think he has proved everything he had to in Formula 2 this season and I’m sure he will do a great job.”