'Speechless': Michael Schumacher's son joins Formula One team
Arguably the most famous name in motorsport history will return to the Formula One grid in 2021, with Mick Schumacher announced as one of the Haas F1 team’s two drivers for next season.
Schumacher, the son of seven-time world champion Michael, joins the Haas team alongside fellow new signing, Russian driver Nikita Mazepin.
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A member of the Ferrari Junior Academy, Schumacher’s signing with Haas had been rumoured for months after the American team opted against renewing the contracts of veteran drivers Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen.
The 21-year-old holds a 14-point lead in the drivers’ standings heading into the final round of the Formula Two season this weekend.
“The prospect of being on the Formula 1 grid next year makes me incredibly happy and I’m simply speechless,” Schumacher said.
“I would like to thank Haas F1 Team, Scuderia Ferrari and the Ferrari Driver Academy for placing their trust in me. I also want to acknowledge and extend my love to my parents – I know that I owe them everything.
“I have always believed that I would realise my dream of Formula 1.
“A huge thank you must also go to all the great motorsport fans out there who have supported me throughout my career.
“I will give it my all, as I always do, and I look forward to going on this journey together with Haas F1 and them.”
Mercedes confirm replacement for Lewis Hamilton after COVID test
British driver George Russell will replace Lewis Hamilton for this weekend's Sakhir Grand Prix.
Hamilton, 35, was ruled out of the penultimate round of the season after contracting coronavirus.
"Very few people are lucky enough to drive for an @F1 team each year and I'm about to get the chance to drive for two," said Englishman Russell, 22. on Twitter.
"Unbelievably grateful to Williams and Mercedes for this opportunity."
Another Englishman, Jack Aitken, will now take Russell's regular seat at Williams for his Formula One debut.
"I can't believe this, but I will make my F1 debut with Williams this weekend," the 25-year-old said.
"Huge thank you to them, and obviously my best wishes to Lewis, and George making the step into the Mercedes."
Russell is signed to Williams until the end of next year and Mercedes reportedly inquired about his availability for the coming season before renewing the contract of Valtteri Bottas.
"It will not be a straightforward task for George to make the transition from the Williams to the W11 (car), but he is race-ready and has a detailed understanding of the 2020 tyres and how they perform on this generation of cars," said Mercedes motorsport chief Toto Wolff.
"George has shown impressive form this year with Williams, playing an instrumental role in their climb up the grid, and I am optimistic that he will deliver a strong performance alongside Valtteri, who will be a demanding reference for him."
Belgium's Stoffel Vandoorne is nominally the first reserve driver for Mercedes but the team instead elected to give Russell a chance to prove himself in a competitive environment having previously tested for the team.
With AAP
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