Schumacher tipped for greatness by Mercedes

Mick Schumacher has been tipped to become "one of the greats" of motorsport by Mercedes Formula 1 team principal Toto Wolff after winning the European Formula 3 title with a race to spare. The son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher surged to the title with a stunning second half to the season.

In his second F3 campaign, Schumacher picked up a maiden win at Spa in July before adding further victories in seven of the next 11 races to overhaul Red Bull academy driver Dan Ticktum in the standings.

A second-place finish in the second race of the season-ending event at Hockenheim was enough to see him crowned champion, with potential offers from Formula 2 – as well as links to F1 – to consider.

Mercedes – who Michael Schumacher ended his F1 career with – were quick to release a statement congratulating the 19-year-old, who Wolff has backed for big things.

"Congratulations to Mick on winning the FIA Formula 3 European Championship title," said Wolff.

.@SchumacherMick is the 2018 @fiaf3europe CHAMPION !!!!!!! ???????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/16MhKhgOf6 — PREMA (@PREMA_Team) October 13, 2018

"Attention was focused on the youngster right from the start, and he was under a lot of pressure. It's not easy coping with all that, especially if the season does not get off to the best of starts, as in this case.

"His performance in the second half of the season was therefore all the more impressive. He has shown that he has what it takes and that he can become one of the greats in our sport.

"We are also obviously delighted that he registered a 500th race win for Mercedes in F3 and that he secured the title in a Mercedes-powered car."

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