Red Bull respond to Schumacher-Toro Rosso rumours

Red Bull motorsport advisor has reacted to rumours linking Mick Schumacher with a 2019 seat at Toro Rosso by flatly denying that he has spoken to the driver. Motorsport's Spanish edition suggested the son of seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher was in line for a swift step up to the top level.

Schumacher's form has blossomed in recent months, seeing him take victory in six of the last 10 races for Prema in European Formula 3 – including a clean sweep at the Nurburgring – to move him within three points of Red Bull junior Dan Ticktum at the top of the standings.

While any potential Toro Rosso move for Ticktum has been ruled out due to a lack of Super Licence points, Schumacher will be eligible to drive an F1 car if he secures a single podium finish in the remaining six races of 2018.

Marko recently said he had drawn up a list of 10 drivers, with Toro Rosso potentially having two seats to fill next year, but Schumacher Jr is apparently not on it.

"He is not on our list and we have had no contact at all with him," Marko told Auto Bild.

Schumacher's sudden upturn in form has brought a clamour to see him in F1, something Chase Carey has admitted Liberty Media would be desperate to see as they look to attract more and more fans to the sport.

While stepping up to Formula 2, or next season's GP3-replacing Formula 3, seems most likely, it remains to be seen whether Schumacher will now become subject of a bidding war at junior level, with his father's former teams Ferrari and Mercedes perhaps likely academy destinations.

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