Schumacher needs super license points in 2019
The system for awarding F1 'super licenses' to aspiring drivers could see Mick Schumacher left off the grid for 2020.
Many are tipping the 19-year-old son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher to make his debut next year, having signed up with manager Nicolas Todt and the Ferrari development programme.
He will race in Formula 2 this year as the reigning European F3 champion.
But the German broadcaster RTL points out that it could be the FIA's super license system that derails Schumacher for 2020.
Last year, it emerged that Dan Ticktum was actually Red Bull's top pick to race for Toro Rosso in 2019, but he could not secure enough super license 'points'.
Currently, Schumacher has more than the 40 points he needs for a super license. But RTL says 20 of those points expire this year.
It means Schumacher needs to score 10 super license points this year in Formula 2, which would mean at least a sixth place overall in the championship.
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Talk about F1 being an Old Boys Club!
Schumacher, Verstappen, Magnussen, Hill. Brabham, Rosberg, Villeneuve were all sons of former F1 drivers. Is driving talent in the genes or is it a matter of having the right contacts in F1?
The right contacts certainly does help to get a new or young driver to at least meet and talk with the people who have drives or testing positions available but that is where it ends, if someone cannot drive to a reasonable standard that's it so genes do count as does anbility
The right name only gets you so far, to get a supper license you need talent, and yes it's helps to have a name like Schumacher to open doors, but the same doors will be slammed shut if you can't perform on track.