Official: Mick Schumacher joins Ferrari Driver Academy

It has been speculated upon for some time, but Ferrari have confirmed it - Mick Schumacher will join up with Ferrari's Driver Academy for 2019, and is expected to gather with other candidates for pre-season activities.

Ferrari have made no secret of the fact that they would always leave the door open for Schumacher, son of the legendary Michael, and rumours increased following his championship victory at Formula 3 in 2018.

After the 19-year-old prodigy announced his intention to race in Formula 2 this year, a statement from Ferrari was widely expected to follow and they released confirmation of their agreement with Schumacher today.

The German said: "I am thrilled that Ferrari has entered a partnership with me and my next future in motorsport will be in red, being part of the Ferrari Driver Academy and also of the Scuderia Ferrari Family. Again, this is another step forward in the right direction, and I can only profit from the immense amount of expertise bundled there. Be sure I will make everything to extract whatever helps me achieve my dream, racing in Formula 1.

It is more than obvious that Ferrari has a big place in my heart since I was born and also in the hearts of our family, so I am delighted on a personal level about this opportunity as well. At this stage it is however also time to say thank you to my family, friends and partners who supported me all along and helped me arrive at this point.”

Schumacher will join up with a group of other drivers including Giuliano Alesi, Callum Ilott (F2 in 2019), Marcus Armstrong and Robert Shwartzman (F3 in 2019), Enzo Fittipaldi (Formula Regional (Europe)), and Gianluca Petecof in (F4).

Mick Schumacher joins the Ferrari Driver Academy. #FDA https://t.co/DBnPlkrHrX — FerrariDriverAcademy (@insideFDA) January 19, 2019