BERLIN－March 21 next year promises to be a special day for Mick Schumacher. The German will make his Formula 1 race debut in Australia, just a day before he turns 22 and 30 years on from his father's first F1 grand prix.

The son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, Mick last week signed a multi-year contract to race for US-based team Haas.

Having competed in the shadow of his dad for over a decade now, the deal represents a major milestone for Mick.

Michael Schumacher disappeared from the public eye after a ski accident seven years ago when he suffered severe head injuries. Ever since, he has been treated in the privacy of the family estate in Switzerland.

Mick was 14 when that devastating accident occurred but was already accomplished behind the wheel. He took up karting at age 3 and eventually advanced to Formula 4 in 2015. His family's wealth afforded him the luxury of training on rented racing circuits, often to the envy of his rivals.

Mick's career has been carefully overseen by his family and his father's former manager, Sabine Kehm.

The Schumachers tried to deflect the inevitable public interest in him as much as possible. In 2018, however, his profile increased when he won the European Formula 3 championship.

Over the weekend, Mick－a graduate of the Ferrari Driver Academy－clinched the F2 title at Sakhir in Bahrain. "I feel overwhelmed," he said after the race. "It's going to take a few days maybe (to sink in)."

The youngster has always endeavored to make a name for himself is in his own right and not rely on his dad's fame. He even enrolled in races as Mick Betsch, using his mother's maiden name to hide his identity. However, comparisons with his father have never been too heavy a burden for him, he insists.

"Being compared to the best driver in F1 history is the goal you want to achieve. To have him as my idol and father is very special," Mick said. "The prospect of being on the Formula 1 grid next year makes me incredibly happy. It leaves me speechless."

He added that he is prepared for the huge media attention that awaits.

"I've been in the limelight since my childhood, especially because I chose this sport, but so far I have come to terms with it. The results speak for themselves," Mick said.

"This attention has always been normal for me. The important thing is to have people who tell you the truth, who keep you grounded and help you along the way. And I'm lucky to have people like that around me."

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has big expectations of his new acquisition. "Mick has won races, collected podiums and excelled against some pretty exceptional talent in 2020," said Steiner. "I firmly believe he's earned the opportunity to graduate into Formula 1 based on his performances."

F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, who this season surpassed Michael's record number of grand-prix wins (91) and equaled his tally of seven world championships, has also been impressed by Mick.

"Mick is going his own way, and he is doing great. He has got his feet on the ground, which impresses me a lot," the Briton said.

Schumacher junior will initially test-drive his new car on Dec 11 in a training session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He will partner Russian Nikita Mazepin, another F1 debutant, in the Haas lineup.

Xinhua