Mick Schumacher has admitted to holding private talks with Lewis Hamilton after moving a step closer to his dream of driving for Ferrari.
Schumacher, the son of legendary seven-time world champion Michael, debuted in F1 with Haas in the 2021 season, although it proved a difficult campaign, with neither him or team-mate Nikita Mazepin notching any points.
Schumacher, 22, will drive for Haas again during the 2022 campaign, but has also been named as a reserve driver for Ferrari, and has made no secret of his desire to eventually drive full-time for the Italian giants.
In January, Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto confirmed the team were in regular contact with Schumacher, who has been on their academy programme since January 2019.
Schumacher’s prospects of emulating his father in some way have seemingly been helped by Hamilton, despite the 37-year-old having ironically replaced his dad at Mercedes after the German retired for the second and final time.
In an interview with crash.net, Schumacher was asked if the British driver had been willing to offer him advice when necessary.
“Yeah, definitely. He’s always been very open to giving advice to help me in the position I was in,” he replied.
“Also, already back in the day, when my dad wasn’t with Mercedes anymore, I did get the chance to come to a few races and see him there.”
“It’s been definitely nice knowing that when when he had time he was able to talk to me about certain things. Those conversations are obviously private.
Some of it is related to racing but most of it is just on a friendly basis. “Schumacher, who raced in both Formula 3 and Formula 2 before joining Haas, was also asked what it would mean to drive for Ferrari, who placed third in last season’s Constructors’ Championship.
“I think in general it’s a dream for everybody to race for Ferrari. I think anybody would like to race there,” he replied.
“But obviously my thoughts are very much on the here and now and trying to do my best job in the position that I am in with Haas. For sure hopefully with a better car we’ll be able to take the maximum out of it.”
The current drivers’ spots at the Scuderia are occupied by Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, but Schumacher is likely to now get his chance in red if either is forced to miss a race this season.
