Vettel: Schumacher a future F1 star

Sebastian Vettel says Mick Schumacher is a Formula 1 "star" in the making after taking a major step towards F1 by signing a development deal with Ferrari. Schumacher will hope to follow in the footsteps of his legendary father – seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher – and drive for the Scuderia in F1.

Schumacher's stock has risen significantly over the past 12 months on the back of a successful European Formula 3 campaign.

An utterly dominant run in the middle of the season, which included five consecutive race wins, helped the 19-year-old overcome highly touted Red Bull protegee Dan Ticktum and take his first junior title.

Links to a potential move to F1 with Toro Rosso followed, but Schumacher will instead take a more gradual step up to Formula 2 this year, remaining with the Prema squad he was successful in 2018.

What a great bunch of drivers. ????#ROCMexico pic.twitter.com/dyP75p7TOB — #ROCMexico (@RaceOfChampions) January 21, 2019

Schumacher was enrolled into the Ferrari Driver Academy this week, having reportedly rejected a similar offer from Mercedes, and Vettel hopes it may lead to him and his fellow German teaming up in the future, as they did this weekend at the Race of Champions.

"It's great for him," said Vettel. "I hope he stays with us for a long time and one day he can drive with me. Or maybe I can hand over the steering wheel to him when I stop one day.

"We shouldn't put too much pressure on Mick, and we should let him go his own way.

"Personally, I think that if we just let him do his thing, he can become a star."

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