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Mick Schumacher to make F1 practice debut at Eifel GP

Mick Schumacher will take part in his first practice session with Alfa Romeo at the Nuerburgring next Friday, as Ferrari seek to give their three leading junior drivers Formula One race weekend experience.

Britain's Callum Ilott will take part in the same session with the Ferrari-powered Haas team, while Russian Robert Shwartzman will get his chance on the final Friday of the season in Abu Dhabi with either Haas or Alfa Romeo.

Schumacher, son of Ferrari great and seven-time world champion Michael, is leading the Formula Two standings ahead of the Eifel Grand Prix weekend at the German circuit.

"The fact that my first participation in a Formula One weekend will take place in front of my home audience at the Nuerburgring makes this moment even more special," said Mick Schumacher, 21.

VACANCIES

Both the German and Ilott have driven F1 cars before in test sessions and could potentially fill the vacancies at Alfa Romeo and Haas for 2021.

All three Ferrari academy drivers were scheduled to test a 2018 Ferrari SF71H at the Italian team's Fiorano track yesterday in preparation for their F1 practice debuts, having already had seat fittings.

Mick Schumacher has won two races in F2 this season and leads Ilott by 22 points. Shwartzman, a rookie in the series, is fifth in the standings, but has won three races.

"We wanted to organise this test session so that our three best youngsters would be as well prepared as possible to tackle an event that will always be a special moment for them," said Ferrari sporting director Laurent Mekies in a statement.

"We believe strongly in our academy, which has already proved its value with Charles Leclerc a driver on which the Scuderia can build their long-term future." - REUTERS

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