Mick Schumacher will join Prema Powerteam and race in Formula 4 this season, but has not joined the Ferrari Driver Academy.
Son of seven-time world champion Michael, Schumacher impressed in his debut year of German F4 last season and then enjoyed a strong appearance in the MRF Challenge last month. His early showings had seen Schumacher linked with a move to F3 with Prema, and while he has joined the Italian outfit he will remain in F4.
With Prema enjoying close links to Ferrari - the team with which Micheal won five of his seven titles - Schumacher was tipped to join its young driver programme but his manager Sabine Kehm stated the move to Prema has not resulted in the German becoming part of the Ferrari Driver Academy.
"Prema Powerteam for me is the perfect next step on my way to go for the best performance and to become a complete driver," Schumacher said. "The team is very experienced and open, and everybody is really good in working closely with us drivers - plus there is Angelo who is behind every detail. It already is a lot of fun to work with the team, and I look forward to this challenge and to sharing a cool experience together. I am very proud to be a part of Prema."
It has yet to be decided if Schumacher will race in the German or Italian championship this season, but team principal Angelo Rosin is excited by the 16-year-old's potential.
“I am proud to welcome Mick Schumacher to our team," Rosin said. "As a driver, he is showcasing a constantly-improving potential and he already has a one-year experience in Formula 4. At his maiden season in single seaters, he quickly showed he has all what it takes to aim for the top.
"We always kept an eye on him because he was a perfect prospect for Prema. He is quick, smart, determined and likes to work hard with the team in the quest for the highest possible level of performance."
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