Mick Schumacher: I feel ready for Formula 1

Schumacher's rise through the junior ranks has no doubt been aided by his name, his father, after all, is one of the most revered drivers of all time but now as F1 beckons, there is nowhere to hide as he must stand and deliver irrespective of the surname printed on the side of his car.

The young German, who is the reigning Formula 3 champion, has had a solid, if unspectacular, first season in Formula 2, and the consensus is that he needs another year in the F1-feeder series to further hone his craft and garner more experience. This advice from none other than F1 motorsport chief Ross Brawn.

Although the Schumi III camp have made it clear there is no rush to get the youngster into F1, he seems to think otherwise when speaking to Joe Saward during an interview for Autoweek.

With regards to his career ambitions, Mick revealed, "Sure, I think about it. That’s my dream. It’s where I want to go, and that’s where I want to basically live my life. I feel ready.

"If you arrive in Formula 2, most of the people here would say that they are ready. Obviously a year in F2 where you learn a lot about tires and stuff helps you for F1, but that doesn’t mean that you will automatically do a good job because there are a lot of different things in F1 that affect your position."

As mentioned, common sense dictates that he spend another year in F2 where the Ferrari Academy driver would have a serious crack at the 2020 title, ideally coupled to a selection of FP1 sessions with Alfa Romeo.

"Maybe it makes more sense to stay another year in Formula 2 and do a good job," reasoned Schumacher. "But that doesn’t mean that there will be any seats in F1 open, and you could be sitting there with nothing to drive. It is a bit like the sport choosing you rather you choosing the sport.

"If the chance comes, I will take it. Right now, I’m thinking about F2. We’re here, and that is what I focus on, but I dream about F1," he added.

Crystal ball gazing is always a dangerous game in this sport, however, it is not impossible to imagine Mick in 2021 - F1's new dawn - making his Grand Prix debut with Alfa Romeo for a season or two before stepping up to Ferrari circa 2023 provided, of course, he has some of his father's magic.