If everything goes according to plan, then exactly two years later, in 2021. It was then that Zauber’s contract of superveteran Kimi Raikkonen will end (at the same time the Finn will turn 41, and he is unlikely to continue to chase the Grand Prix), and Mick will be able to take his place after a decent run-in in Formula 2. In fact, the youngest Schumacher does not even have to rip everyone and win the title: the points won for the super-license will be valid until 2022, so the main task of the German will be to gain experience and advance, not win at any cost.
Of course, in the case of a complete failure, or quite average results (several podiums per season), Ferrari is unlikely to want to promote Mika at any price, but some outsider F-1 may well take the risk and raise the guy with the name, the title of “Euro-Rush” and powerful sponsorship package. His transition to the Grand Prix is almost inevitable.
However, you should not wait for the gap “Formula 2” in the debut season: Schumacher earned a reputation as a thoughtful and cautious rider, not risking the full from the first meters and the first races. Even with speed, the first races in the new championship he uses to study the techniques (the motors of which in 2018 could stall by themselves at any moment), tires (in the F-3 he chased the Hankuk, and in the F- 2 “it is waiting for tires” Pirelli “) and tracks (Mick never went to 7 of the 12 tracks of the calendar” F-2 “, including the starting five) – some first conclusions on his pace can be done only at the sixth stage of the tournament in Spielberg. It is also worth remembering that no one else in the last decade since Nico Hulkenberg won in F-2 immediately after moving from F-3 (before him were Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton) – last year’s best result was victory, seven podiums and second place overall Lando Norris (and then he had a trial period in the form of two races in 2017).
Of course, if Schumacher repeats the newcomer McLaren’s performance, he will be pushed into F-1 a year earlier than the plan (especially if Giovinazzi writes a new definition for the word failure). But so far, neither Mick himself nor his representatives have been noticed in some rash and too bold statements – on the contrary, the German has always shown an example of restraint and caution. If he does not feel confident in his ability to compete with Raikkonen, he would rather spend another season in F-2 and get more reel than to risk his career. In the end, if he fails in front of millions of Grand Prix TV viewers, he will be remembered for everything: the legendary surname, father’s titles, and not the quickest start in the youth series, or anything else.