APRIL 11, 2016

Italy hails new Schumi after race wins

Mick Schumacher is pressing the throttle on the next stage in his quest for future F1 glory.

Mick Schumacher is pressing the throttle on the next stage in his quest for future F1 glory.

The son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher, the 17-year-old is racing in both the Italian and German F4 series this year and at the weekend he kicked off his 2016 campaign with two wins in damp conditions.

Germany's Die Welt newspaper said that although the fiercely-private Schumacher family has guarded the youngster to date, he is now doing interviews and has launched an official website and Instagram account.

And the wider media is enjoying Mick's rise through the single seater ranks, with La Gazzetta dello Sport calling his performance at Misano at the weekend "spectacular".

Italy's Tuttosport agreed: "Schumi is back! But it's Mick, his (Michael's) legacy".

Carrying the torch at Michael Schumacher's old team Ferrari, meanwhile, is Sebastian Vettel, who said the seven time world champion is very much not forgotten at Maranello.

"What happened is tragic," the German told Welt newspaper's 'PS Welt' supplement. "For many people here, it is very hard when his name is mentioned.

"Those who have worked with him have tears suddenly in their eyes. The Italians and the Ferraristi have a strong relationship with Michael," Vettel added.

(GMM)