PA - Mick Schumacher, the son of seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, has taken the next step in his motor racing career by signing with Italy's Prema Powerteam for the coming Formula 4 season.
The team has entries in the Italian and German Formula 4 championships in 2016.
Prema says it is yet to decide which one he will compete in.
Schumacher, who turns 17 next month, competed with Van Amersfoort Racing in the 2015 German Formula 4 season, winning one race.
"Prema Powerteam for me is the perfect next step on my way to go for the best performance and to become a complete driver," Schumacher said in a statement.
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"I am proud to welcome Mick Schumacher to our team," Prema team principal Angelo Rosin said. "As a driver, he is showcasing a constantly improving potential and he already has a one-year experience in Formula 4.
"At his maiden season in single seaters, he quickly showed he has all what it takes to aim for the top."
While his new team Prema has close ties to the Ferrari Driver Academy, Schumacher will not be part of that program despite his father's celebrated history with Ferrari.
Michael Schumacher remains in secluded recovery from serious head injuries he suffered in December 2013 in a skiing accident.
