David Schumacher to compete alongside Formula One in Formula 3 in 2020

Formula 3

David Schumacher to compete in Formula 3 for 2020 season

Another Schumacher joins the party

Sam Hall

Wednesday 5 February 2020 20:00

David Schumacher has become the fourth member of his family to join the Formula One circusby signing to race with Charouz in Formula 3 for the 2020 season.

Following in the footsteps of father Ralf, uncle Michael and cousin Mick, 18-year-old David Schumacher will enter the chaotic world of the Formula One paddock by competing in the support category.

A championship which saw 30-full time drivers competing in 2019, F3 is a difficult championship to shine in but Schumacher is confident that he has what it takes to make the step up from the Formula Regional European Championship - a campaign in which he finished fourth.

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“I feel really happy and grateful to make the step up to FIA Formula 3 full-time with Charouz," said Schumacher. "I drove two events at the end of last year and that was good preparation for the season ahead.

“I got to learn more about the car, and that’s valuable as we don’t have many practice opportunities during race weekends. I think we can make a step forward this season and I will try and finish as high as possible.”

Schumacher raced at the final F3 round of 2019 in Sochi for the Campos team but, as with other drivers who enter solely for the one round he finished well down the order in 22nd and 20th across the two races.

Schumacher will be joined at Charouz by Finnish driver Niko Kari, the 20-year-old scoring two podium finishes in 2019, and 21-year-old Igor Fraga, a driver more known for his career in eSports.

The Japanese born Brazilian competed in the 2017 F1 eSports series and won the inaugural FIA Grand Turismo Nations Cup and McLaren Shadow racing series in 2018.

“I’m really looking forward to joining the Formula 3 field with Charouz,” said Fraga. “It is a competitive series and a very professional environment - running at the same events as F1 is kind a crazy to think about.

“I just can't wait to start my season. This year is about the process of learning. Of course, the goal is always to win a race, but I am not underestimating the challenge ahead either. I will give my best and push to achieve my goals.”