Wolff: Schumacher Jr. can become 'one of the greats'

Mercedes Formula 1 chief Toto Wolff was quick to heap praise on Mick Schumacher following his FIA European Formula 3 title victory at Hockenheim on Saturday, saying the young German has what it takes to become “one of the greats in our sport.”

The son of seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher, Schumacher Jr. managed to clinch his maiden single-seater title with one race to spare by finishing second at Hockenheim on Saturday.

The result confirmed Schumacher has the points for an FIA Super License required to race in F1, but he is expected to move into Formula 2 for 2019.

Wolff praised Schumacher for his proving his ability to perform under pressure throughout 2018, having recovered from a sluggish start to the season to take eight wins in the final 16 races en route to the title.

“Congratulations to Mick on winning the FIA Formula 3 European Championship title. Attention was focused on the youngster right from the start, and he was under a lot of pressure,” Wolff said.

“It's not easy coping with all that, especially if the season does not get off to the best of starts, as in this case. His performance in the second half of the season was therefore all the more impressive.

“He has shown that he has what it takes and that he can become one of the greats in our sport.

“We are also obviously delighted that he registered a 500th race win for Mercedes in F3 and that he secured the title in a Mercedes-powered car.”

By winning the European F3 title with Mercedes power, Schumacher follows in the footsteps of Lewis Hamilton, Paul di Resta, Romain Grosjean, Nico Hulkenberg, Jules Bianchi and Esteban Ocon, all of whom went on to race in F1.

Schumacher is not currently part of any F1 junior programme, but has been told the door would be “always open” at Ferrari given his father’s strong affiliation with the team, having won five of his seven titles for the Scuderia.

Michael Schumacher also worked with Mercedes in the later stages of his career, racing with the team from 2010 to 2012 before his retirement from F1.