Mick Schumacher one step away from Formula One as he secures F2 seat for 2019 with Prema Racing

The 19-year-old son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher will step up to Formula One’s main support category in 2019 as he continues with Prema Racing

Mick Schumacher will drive for Prema Racing in Formula 2 next season (Getty)

Mick Schumacher has been unveiled as a Formula Two driver with Prema Racing next season, just one tier away from graduating to Formula One.

The 19-year-old son of seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher will graduate as the reigning European Formula Three European Championship winner, having secured eight victories this year on his way to the title.

Having secured the championship with Prema, the Italian outfit announced on Tuesday that Schumacher will stay with the team for the 2019 F2 season, which is the next logical step towards seeing the Schumacher name return to F1 in the near-future.

“I’m really looking forward to contesting my next season with Prema in FIA Formula Two – a logical step on my sporting path in my view, because I want to further improve my technical experience and driving skills,” Schumacher said.

“For me, it was very clear to go into Formula Two with Prema. I can’t thank the Prema family enough for what we achieved together as a team, especially this year, how we continued to develop together. I’m also really excited to drive the Formula Two tests in Abu Dhabi.”

It continues a long and successful partnership, having comes through the ranks of F4, F3 and now F2, and although Prema do not currently have a team in F1, their recent graduates include champions Pierre Gasly and Charles Leclerc, who next season will drive for front-runners Ferrari and Red Bull respectively.

The Schumacher name could grace F1 again in the near future (Getty)

Schumacher was tentatively linked with one of the seats at Toro Rosso, but F2 graduate Alexander Albon was announced as teammate to the returning Daniil Kvyat on Monday, completing the grid for 2019.

But by joining F2 next season, Schumacher stands a good chance of progressing to Formula One providing he is on the pace, as both champion George Russell and runner-up Lando Norris have joined Albon in making the leap to the premier category next season.

“We are proud to welcome Mick to our Formula Two operation for 2019,” said Prema Racing team principal Rene Rosin. “He is an extremely talented and dedicated racer, working with him is a pleasure and we can’t wait to begin this adventure together.

“This championship is not an easy one due to its learning curve for rookies especially with the introduction of the new car, but we think that Mick has the maturity and skills needed to make it. We are excited for the start of the next chapter in his career and we are happy to be part of it.”

It means that Schumacher could conceivably be just one season away from gaining a seat in F1, which would no doubt rekindle memories of his father dominating the sport during his 22-year career, during which he became the most successful driver in the sport’s history.

Schumacher will be just one step away from Formula One (Getty)

Schumacher claimed 91 grand prix victories and claimed an unrivalled seven world championships before initially retiring in 2006, only to embark on a three-season comeback with Mercedes between 2010 and 2012 when he finally retired for good.

He continues to recover from serious head injuries suffered in a skiing accident in December 2013.