Michael Schumacher latest: F1 legend’s son to drive dad’s car in emotional display

Mike Schumacher will follow in his father’s footsteps as he takes to the very same track his father won his first title on 25 years later.

The 18-year-old will race around Spa-Francorchamps in a 1994 F1 model of the Benetton B194 car before Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix.

His father, a seven time World Champion, took his first win at the track on August 30, 1992, in the same car.

He went on to win a further 90 races, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all times.

Mike said: “There was not the slightest bit of doubt for me that I wanted to do this.”

Schumacher Jnr will drive a demonstrative round in front of the driver’s parade, a touching homage to his father. 

The 18-year-old is currently driving in the F3 championship, and is touted for a bright future.

Schumacher family spokesman Sabine Kehm said it was not possible to use the exact same race-winning 1992 Benetton for the demonstration because of mechanical and insurance issues.

But the Spa circuit itself holds a great deal of sentiment for the Schumacher family, and not only because father Michael secured his first win there.

The 48-year-old completed his first race there in 1991 with Jordan and with six successes he is the record winner on the challenging 7.004 kilometre course in the Ardennes. 

is now even an honorary spa citizen.

But the honorary lap is likely to be bittersweet for Jnr, as Michael hasn’t been seen in public since suffering severe head injuries while skiing in 2013.

The racing legend smashed his head on a rock while on holiday with his family, and was airlifted to hospital and was placed in a medically induced coma for nearly six months.

His injury was so severe that if he was not wearing a helmet it is widely believed he could have died. 

The racing legend’s condition gradually stabilised and he was eventually allowed home in Switzerland in September 2014 to continue his recovery. 

Last year Mr Schumacher’s lawyer, Felix Damm, made a rare omission in court, confirming: “He cannot walk.”

Hopes of a stellar recovery and possible return to the sport are virtually non-existent, and there are fears he will not be able to resume a normal life.