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Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael, has signed on to race Haas next season.
The US-based team said the 21-year-old had signed a “multi-year contract.” He will partner with Russian Nikita Mazepin, who was confirmed Tuesday.
Schumacher, a member of the Ferrari driver academy, leads the F2 series before the final round this weekend.
“The prospect of being on the Formula 1 grid next year makes me incredibly happy,” said Schumacher, “speechless.”
German Schumacher thanked Haas and Ferrari for their “trust” and added: “I also want to acknowledge and extend my love to my parents. I know that I owe them everything. I have always believed that it would make my Formula 1 dream come true.”
“A big thank you also goes to all the great motorsport fans who have supported me throughout my career. I will give it my all, as I always do, and I look forward to taking this journey together with Haas F1 and them.”
Haas team boss Gunther Steiner said Schumacher had “earned the opportunity” with his performances in Formula 2.
Schumacher’s F1 debut next year will come on the 30th anniversary of his father’s entry into the sport, at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix.
Michael Schumacher had a brilliant career that ended up being the most successful driver of all time, with 91 victories and seven World Championships.
Britain’s Lewis Hamilton beat Schumacher’s record for victories this year and matched his championship tally.
Michael’s state of health is unknown after a 2013 skiing accident in which he sustained serious head injuries. The 52-year-old has not been seen in public since.
His son’s career has been carefully guided by the family and Michael’s former manager, Sabine Kehm, to help him advance through the ranks of motorsports while keeping the inevitable public interest off his shoulders as much as possible.
He won the Formula 3 European championship in his second year in the category in 2018, made his F2 debut last season, won a race at the Hungarian Grand Prix, and has won two races so far in a consistent 2020.
Schumacher is 14 points clear of Britain’s Callum Ilott with two races remaining in this weekend’s round at the Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain.
Mick Schumacher has said that comparisons to his father “were never a problem” for him, describing Michael as “my idol and very special.”
