Mick Schumacher becomes reserve driver for Ferrari

Mick Schumacher will become a reserve driver for Ferrari next season while also still racing for Haas, Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto said on Wednesday.

His father Michael won five of his seven world titles with the Italian team.

"Mick will be a reserve driver for Ferrari, just like (former Alfa Romeo driver) Antonio Giovinazzi," Binotto told RTL TV.

"Antonio will be the reserve at some races. When he is not there, Mick has the role."

Schumacher, 22, is expected to be the back-up for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz at 11 races in 2022.

If one of the pair misses out on one of those race weekends through injury or illness, then a Schumacher will once again step into a Ferrari for a Formula One Grand Prix.

"Mick is a Ferrari driver, he belongs to the Ferrari Driver Academy. He did well with Haas, the whole 2021 season," added Binotto. "We think in the future he will get better."

Mick finished joint last in the standings with no points from his debut F1 season with backmarkers Haas, but often outshone team-mate Nikita Mazepin.