Following in his father's footsteps: Michael Schumacher's son given boost to F1 future
MICHAEL Schumacher’s teenage son is likely to continue to follow in his father’s footsteps after F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone hinted he hoped to see the family name back on the starting grid.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest racing drivers of all time, Michael Schumacher became a household name after winning seven World Championships and reaching the podium a staggering 17 times throughout his 21-year career.
The 48-year-old won his first World Drivers' Championship with Benetton in 1994 and went on to win six more between 1995 and 2004.
Although he retired at the end of the 2006 season, the F1 legend couldn’t be kept away from the tarmac for long - returning alongside fellow German driver Nico Rosberg in the new Mercedes team in 2010.
But the sporting superstar soon put his driving gloves away for the last time following the 2012 season, returning to his wife and two children - and work as ambassador for UNESCO.
However in 2013, tragedy struck when Schumacher suffered catastrophic head injuries in an accident while skiing, leaving him in a coma.
Little is known about his health or recovery and fans have continued to pray for a miracle for their idol, who has since been transferred to his Switzerland home where he is receiving £115k-a-week care from a specialist medical team.
But supporters can now set their sights on another Schumacher - after his young son Mick was handed a vital boost to his F1 dream and his mission to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Mick Schumacher following in his dad's footsteps into F1
The 17-year-old was praised by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone in an interview this week, as the racing boss said he hoped the young star would make it all the way to the top division.
He said: "If he is anywhere near as good as his father, why not? It would be good for Formula One if the name Schumacher was with us again."
Mick Schumacher is stepping up to European Formula 3 with Prema Powerteam this year, after being ranked as the runner-up in both the German and Italian Formula 4 championships last season.
If he is anywhere near as good as his father, why not? It would be good for Formula One if the name Schumacher was with us again
He is now expected to use this season as a springboard for his career, as the competition is traditionally seen as a stepping stone to a career racing on the top tracks around the world.
Although the Schumacher name has become synonymous with the sport, Mick initially raced under his mother’s maiden name Betsch.
But the youngster has now gone full throttle into honouring his father’s legacy and is living up to the name in true Schumacher form.
Mick Schumacher in heavy crash in F4 race
He said: ”I want to be an F1 world champion, like every driver. F3 is the next step for me and I can hardly wait.
"2017 will certainly be a challenge, but the tests in the past few weeks have shown that the car is great fun to drive.
"This is the category that all the big names have come through.
"From the point of view of professionalism, it's a bit closer to F1 and a bit more difficult."
If Mick were to reach it to the top, he would become the third Schumacher to compete in the sport after his father Michael and uncle Ralf, who raced for Jordan, Williams and Toyota between 1997 and 2007 and recorded six wins.