Mick Schumacher to test for Ferrari and Alfa Romeo in Bahrain

The Schumacher name has moved a step closer to making a stunning return to Formula 1 racing with news that Mick, son of seven-time champion Michael, will turn the wheel of a modern-day F1 car for the first time when he drives for Ferrari and Alfa Romeo in next week's post-race Bahrain test…

Schumacher Jnr is making a rapid rise up the motorsport ladder, winning eight races and 14 podiums on his way to the European F3 title last year, before signing a deal to drive for Prema Racing in F2 – the feeder series to F1 – for this season.

The 20-year-old then followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the Ferrari family earlier this year, earning a place on the legendary Italian squad’s driver academy. And it’s that move which has opened the door for an F1 test.

Schumacher will drive for Ferrari on the first day of the two-day test in Bahrain, that begins on Tuesday after the Grand Prix at Sakhir, before taking the wheel of the Alfa Romeo on Wednesday.

“I am obviously more than excited and would like to thank Ferrari and Alfa Romeo for giving me this opportunity,” Schumacher said.

“I am really looking forward to what I’m sure will be a great experience. But for the moment, I am consciously putting all thoughts of the test to one side, because I am also very much looking forward to competing in my first F2 race and would like to focus a hundred percent on the weekend to come.”

The opportunity will come just days after Schumacher will have made his debut in F2 in Bahrain.

Schumacher Jnr’s only other F1 experience is when he drove his father’s 1994 Benetton at Spa in a demonstration run in 2017 to mark the 25th anniversary of Michael’s first F1 victory.

Meanwhile, Alfa Romeo also confirmed British F2 driver and Ferrari Academy member Callum Ilott will complete a day of testing for the team during the second in-season test, which takes place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya after the Spanish Grand Prix.

Ferrari chief Mattia Binotto said: “We are firm believers in the value of the Ferrari Driver Academy, as a high level training programme for talented youngsters and the decision to give Charles Leclerc a race seat with our team is proof of that.

“We are therefore very pleased to be able to give Mick and Callum the opportunity to experience driving a Formula 1 car. Mick, who joined the FDA in January, and Callum, who has been with us since 2017, are definitely drivers on their way up and I believe that driving the SF90 in an official setting such as the tests in Bahrain and Barcelona can be very useful at this stage in their career.”

Alfa Romeo boss Fred Vasseur added: “We are very pleased to announce that Mick Schumacher and Callum Ilott will each complete a rookie test day for Alfa Romeo Racing. It is in our team’s DNA to spot and nurture young talents.

"Mick and Callum are perfect examples of determined and skilled racers who deserve to be given the chance to take the next steps in their careers. Collaborating with two such promising drivers is great news for our team, and we look forward to working together.”