Mick Schumacher will step up to Formula 1 in 2021 after singing a multi-year deal with Haas as part of the team’s all-rookie driver line-up.

Schumacher, son of seven-time world champion Michael, has been linked with a graduation to F1 following his impressive second year in Formula 2 with Prema.

The German leads the championship by 14 points heading into the season finale this weekend, scoring two victories and eight further podiums.

Haas already confirmed Schumacher’s F2 rival Nikita Mazepin as its first driver for next year on Tuesday, having decided to trade experience for youth in its future line-up.

“I’m very pleased that we’re able to confirm Mick Schumacher in our driver lineup for next season and I look forward to welcoming him into the team,” said Haas team boss Gunther Steiner.

“The Formula 2 Championship has long served as a proving ground for talent to showcase their credentials and this year’s field has undoubtedly been one of the most competitive in recent seasons. Mick has won races, collected podiums and excelled against some pretty exceptional talent in 2020.

“I firmly believe he’s earned the opportunity to graduate into Formula 1 based on his performances. We have an opportunity ahead of us, as a team, to evaluate and nurture a new driver given our familiarity with our race package heading into 2021.

“We are putting in place our building blocks for the continued long-term growth of the team and I look forward to Mick’s contributions both on and off the track in that process.”

Schumacher, who is a member of the Ferrari driver academy, will get his first taste of the VF-20 in first practice at next week’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, before participating in the end-of-season young driver test.

The 21-year-old drove for Ferrari and Alfa Romeo in last year’s in-season test in Bahrain, and is “incredibly happy” to be racing on the F1 grid in 2021.

“The prospect of being on the Formula 1 grid next year makes me incredibly happy and I’m simply speechless,” Schumacher said.

“I would like to thank Haas F1 Team, Scuderia Ferrari and the Ferrari Driver Academy for placing their trust in me. I also want to acknowledge and extend my love to my parents – I know that I owe them everything. I have always believed that I would realise my dream of Formula 1.

“A huge thank you must also go to all the great motorsport fans out there who have supported me throughout my career. I will give it my all, as I always do, and I look forward to going on this journey together with Haas F1 and them.”