Schumacher son starts on ladder to Formula 1

Michael Schumacher's son Mick (above) is set on his own road to Formula 1, with news that he is signing to compete in Formula 4 this season.

Following in the footsteps of his father and also uncle Ralf, 15-year-old - who has raced karts in recent years under the pseudonym Mick Junior - is reportedly about to tread into the world of single-seater cars.

Dutch reports say he is close to signing for Van Amersfoort's Formula 4 outfit. Last year, Max Verstappen - only two years older than Mick - leapt straight from a F3 campaign with Van Amersfoort into a Toro Rosso race cockpit for 2015.

Two-time DTM champion Timo Scheider told Sportwoche: "Especially in the rain, Mick seems to be exceptionally fast - obviously he has inherited the genes of his father."

Van Amersfoort did not confirm the media reports.