Michael Schumacher’s son to make F1 debut at Nurburgring

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Michael Schumacher’s Son To Make F1 Debut At Nurburgring
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Michael Schumacher’s son Mick will make his Formula One grand prix debut at the sport’s next round at Nurburgring.

The 21-year-old leader of the Formula Two championship, the feeder series to F1, will take part in opening practice for the Alfa Romeo team a week on Friday. His appearance will come eight years after his father bowed out of the sport.

Englishman Callum Ilott, a member of the Ferrari driver academy like Schumacher, will also be handed his maiden grand prix outing when he participates in practice for Haas.

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Schumacher, who holds a 22-point lead over Ilott in the Formula Two championship, is expected to follow in his father’s footsteps by competing on a full-time basis in F1.

It is understood he could be handed a seat as early as next year, and his debut at the Nurburgring, a venue where his father won on five occasions, will strengthen his cause.

Schumacher, who will deputise for regular driver Antonio Giovinazzi, said: “I am overjoyed to get this chance in free practice.

One sentence my dad always used to say was records are there to be broken.

“The fact that my first participation in a Formula One weekend will take place in front of my home audience at the Nurburgring makes this moment even more special.

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“For the next 10 days I’m going to prepare myself well, so that I can do the best possible job for the team.”

Lewis Hamilton will be bidding to match Schumacher Snr’s F1 victory record in Germany after he was denied a 91st career triumph in Sochi last weekend.

Speaking in Russia, Schumacher Jnr said his father told him “records are there to be broken”.

Schumacher’s current condition is a closely guarded secret following his skiing accident in France almost seven years ago.

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“One sentence my dad always used to say was records are there to be broken,” said Schumacher Jnr.

Michael Schumacher’s current condition is a closely guarded secret following his skiing accident in France almost seven years ago (David Davies/PA)
Michael Schumacher’s current condition is a closely guarded secret following his skiing accident in France almost seven years ago (David Davies/PA)

“It’s everybody’s aim in the sport to do that and Lewis has had a very, very good run.

“Obviously from the family’s position, we see it on a good side, too. It is good for the sport and Lewis has been very influential in F1.

“But the next aim would be for me, if I do make the step into Formula One, is to break that.”

Schumacher and Ilott, the 21-year-old from Cambridge, will take part in a Ferrari test at the Italian team’s Fiorano track on Wednesday in preparation for their grand prix debuts.

Ilott, a three-time winner in F2 this year, said: “It’s amazing to have this chance at a track that is one of my favourites – it was where I scored the first podium of my career back in 2015.

“It’s great that I’ll have my first outing at a Formula One race weekend there. I plan to make the most of it, and I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

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