Ferrari’s junior driver program ‘Ferrari Driver Academy’ has just confirmed 2018 FIA Formula 3 European Champion Mick Schumacher for its FDA roster this year.

Schumacher will be competing in the 2019 FIA Formula 2 Championship, and will now undergo specialized pre-season preparation activities with fellow FDA drivers after his signing with the Italian squad.

“For someone like me who has known him from birth, there’s no doubt that welcoming Mick into Ferrari has a special emotional meaning, but we have chosen him for his talent and the human and professional qualities that have already distinguished him despite his young age,” said Mattia Binotto, Team Principal of Scuderia Ferrari.

He joins an esteemed list of drivers who have been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy program such as new Scuderia driver Charles Leclerc, 2019 Sauber driver Antonio Giovinazzi, and the sorely missed Jules Bianchi.

His father Michael Schumacher won five straight driver's championship titles in his 11 seasons with the legendary Italian racing team.

“I am thrilled that Ferrari has entered a partnership with me and my next future in motorsport will be in red, being part of the Ferrari Driver Academy and also of the Scuderia Ferrari Family. Again, this is another step forward in the right direction, and I can only profit from the immense amount of expertise bundled there. Be sure I will make everything to extract whatever helps me achieve my dream, racing in Formula 1,” said Mick Schumacher.

Fellow 2019 FDA drivers joining Mick in Formula 2 are Giuliano Alesi (son of Jean Alesi) and Callum Ilott. Marcus Armstrong and Robert Schwarzman will compete in FIA Formula 3, Enzo Fittipaldi (grandson of Emerson Fittipaldi) in FIA Formula Regional (Europe), and Gianluca Petecof in FIA Formula 4 (Italy and Germany).

“It is more than obvious that Ferrari has a big place in my heart since I was born and also in the hearts of our family, so I am delighted on a personal level about this opportunity as well. At this stage it is however also time to say thank you to my family, friends and partners who supported me all along and helped me arrive at this point,” adds the young Schumacher.