Name ‘won’t burden’ Schumacher's progress to F1 - Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton says he is “100 percent” convinced that Mick Schumacher, the son of seven-time world champion Michael, will make it all the way to Formula 1.

Schumacher won his first title in single-seater last weekend as he clinched the European Formula 3 Championship with a race to spare at Hockenheim, having previously finished runner-up in Italian and German F4.

He is tipped to graduate to Formula 2 for 2019 and Hamilton, who replaced Schumacher senior at Mercedes in 2013, has no doubts the 19-year-old will follow in the footsteps of his father by progressing to F1.

"I don't think it [the Schumacher name] will be a burden," Hamilton said.

"There will 100 percent be a Schumacher back in F1, partly because of the name but secondly because he’s doing a good job.

“He obviously has a lot of talent like his dad had, just like Keke and Nico [Rosberg], just like when Fernando has kids, I’m sure Alonso will be here again!

"Even if I have a kid that wants to race, and even if he’s no good, he can make it to F1 because of the name.”

Schumacher finished 12^th in the 2017 European F3 standings but impressed in his sophomore campaign to beat Red Bull protégé Dan Ticktum to this year’s crown, winning eight of the final 15 races.

While he is not currently affiliated to an F1 team, Schumacher has close ties to Mercedes and Ferrari – the latter the team his father won five of his seven titles.

Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene recently said “the door is always open” for Schumacher, while Hamilton revealed he was impressed by the German’s attitude when he attended grands prix as a guest of Mercedes last season.

"He’s doing a really great job and he’s a really great kid as well,” Hamilton explained. “He’s come to and been a part of our team in a couple of weekends last year.

"He’s very attentive and he’s got great talent as his dad had, so I don't think it will be a burden. I think he could be great for the sport."