Ross Brawn admitted he sees similarities between Michael Schumacher, a seven-time world champion, and his 20-year-old son.
The young prodigy posted the second-fastest time during testing in Bahrain, in what was his first time sitting in a F1 car.
He drove for 56 laps and was beaten only by Red Bull superstar Max Verstappen.
Mick is under incredible pressure given the legendary status of his father, who won five of his seven Drivers’ Championship titles with the Scuderia.
After his display Brawn cautioned fans they should not get too over-excited with the youngster.
“I’ve known him since he was little boy,” Brawn told the BBC.
“It’s been fascinating.
“There was a period where he wasn’t sure but he’s now got the bit between his teeth.
“He’s a very determined young man and it is fascinating how his competitiveness kicked in last year in Formula 3.
“People who know him or spend more time with him than I do say it has been impressive progress in his driving career in the last 12 months or so.
“He is a very nice young man and staying like that with the pressures and challenges that come will be one of the things that will be challenging for him. But I’m sure he will.
“He’s got a very balanced family and they’ve all known the experience from Michael so they’ll know how to handle it if Mick is successful.”
Reports on Monday suggested Ferrari would be willing to replace Sebastian Vettel, who has struggled to perform this year so far, with Schumacher.
And Brawn admitted that it would be “wonderful” to see him on the grid.
“It’s very exciting. So many times I see Mick and I see Michael in him very strongly. It would be wonderful,” he continued.
“But there is tremendous pressure on the lad, so I hope people can keep that in perspective and not put unrealistic expectations on him.”
Michael, 50, is still recovering at his home in Switzerland after a tragic skiing accident in 2013.
The German hit his head on a rock while skiing with Mick, and is apparently not “bed-ridden nor is he surviving on tubes,” according to a 2018 report.
In the most recent update, it was claimed that Schumacher still cannot walk or talk.