Hockenheim, Germany - The Schumacher name looks set to continue in motorsport after Mick, son of Germany's seven-times Formula One world champion, finished his debut Formula Four season 10th overall.
“The season was fun,” the 16-year-old said. “We'll have to see about next year.”
His famous father posted 91 wins and 155 podium finishes in his Formula One career, but Mick's introduction to motorsport was more modest.
Over the season's 24 races at eight venues, Schumacher made the podium twice for Dutch team Van Amersfoort Racing, but many of his rivals have several years' experience at this level, not least 18-year-old Marvin Dienst, who won the series.
After the high of winning at Germany's Oschersleben track in the third race on the opening weekend in April - which also scored him the Rookie of the Meeting trophy - Schumacher experienced a few setbacks.
He managed to finish third when the Formula Four series returned to Oschersleben in September, but his highest finish in the three races at Hockenheim at the weekend was fifth.
“He's made huge strides,” said team boss Frits van Amersfoort. “Mick was lucky with his first win; then things went a bit downhill, but he found his feet and his performances improved.
“Now we see that Mick is a strong player in the field.”
STEEP LEARNING CURVE
Having graduated to Formula Four after a successful career as a kart racer, Schumacher has got to grips with the faster car.
“The boys have grown up, just like the cars,” said Van Amersfoort. “It often happens with 16-year-olds, whether they are Mick Schumacher or anybody else.”
As his father continues to recover from the serious head injury he suffered during a skiing accident in December 2013, Mick has largely been shielded from the media's glare, thanks to his father’s manager.
Sabine Kehm said: “The learning curve was very steep and it was clear things wouldn't continue as they had done in the first weekend.
“For his athletic and personal development, it was a good year. We'll now look calmly at how things will continue.”
One future option open to Mick is to graduate to Formula Three, as Van Amersfoort also competes in the higher class - one of the reasons the German teenager opted for the Dutch team.
But he’ll need to live up to the family name with regular victories if his career is to progress.
“Experience is important,” said Van Amersfoort, “but you can only progress in motor racing when you win, because success speaks for itself.”
However, the head of Formula Four’s title sponsor ADAC says Schumacher is an asset to the series and likely to be snapped up by any motor racing team in Germany.
“He is well-known and has a big name,” said ADAC motorsport division presidemnt Herman Tomcyzk, “which will always have a significance in Germany.
AFP