Wary Schumacher says 'everything open' in F2 title battle

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A cautious Mick Schumacher says "everything is open" ahead of this weekend's FIA Formula 2 Championship finale in Bahrain, with the series' top six drivers in contention for the coveted title.

Heading into the weekend shootout, Schumacher leads his closest rival and Prema teammate Callum Ilott by 22 points, but young guns Yuki Tsunoda, Christian Lundgaard, Robert Shwartzman and Nikita Mazepin can all mathematically secure the junior crown.

"We still have 96 points I think to give away so obviously everything is open, the top six in the championship still can win the championship," said Schumacher.

"Our goal is to just focus on ourselves, build the best car possible around ourselves, work as well as we did in the last races as a team.

"It is just important to keep my focus, keep improving myself, keep learning and just go for it."

Schumacher's margin equates to less than an outright feature race win, worth 25 points, while Sunday's sprint race victor will score 15 points.

Read also: Ilott to return to Alfa Romeo for Abu Dhabi test

But regardless of his lead, the 21-year-old is determined to use his head in Bahrain's curtain closer.

"I think we have to be smart for the last two rounds," he said.

"Obviously if it is the right moment to attack, we will attack, if it is the right moment to defend, we will defend. It’s about understanding the situation and working from there."

A title in the junior series is obviously an important credential, although in Schumacher's case, it is unlikely to impact his plans for 2021.

The Ferrari protégé is expected to step up to Formula 1 next season with Haas where he should be joined by fellow F2 rival Nikita Mazepin.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.