Ralf Schumacher’s son makes full-time step up to F3

There will be two Schumachers on the road to F1 in 2020, as Ralf Schumacher’s son, David, has joined Formula 3 full-time with Czech side Charouz Racing System.

David Schumacher made an earlier-than-expected F3 debut last year in the season finale at Sochi for Campos when he replaced the injured Alex Peroni, although it proved to be a steep learning curve for the youngster, who finished 22nd and 20th.

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The German racer then switched to Charouz for the FIA F3 World Cup in Macau, where he finished 21st in one of the most challenging races on the planet.

“I feel really happy and grateful to make the step up to FIA Formula 3 full-time with Charouz,” Schumacher said. “I drove two events at the end of last year and that was good preparation for the season ahead.

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“I got to learn more about the car, and that’s valuable as we don’t have many practice opportunities during race weekends. I think we can make a step forward this season and I will try and finish as high as possible.”

The German - whose father Ralf drove in F1 for Jordan, Williams and Toyota, taking six wins - has already tasted success in single-seater racing, having claimed the vice-champion title in the 2018 F4 UAE Championship with three wins.

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He also secured three wins in the Formula Regional European Championship in 2019, before making the step up to F3.

He will be joined at the team by experienced Finnish racer Niko Kari and Japanese-born Brazilian rookie Igor Fraga.

The 18-year-old’s older cousin Mick Schumacher already races on the F1 support package for PREMA in the F2 Championship and took his first victory in Budapest, Hungary last season.