Sons of Schumacher and Alesi race towards F1

Two young drivers with famous fathers will charge towards a future career on the F1 grid with strong support in their wake. The most high-profile is Mick Schumacher, the 16-year-old son of F1 legend Michael who for 2016 has been signed up by the Ferrari-linked Prema team in Formula 4.

FIA president Jean Todt is a close friend of the Schumacher family, and he told Germany's Sport Bild: "Mick is fantastic; a great kid. That he has talent is unquestionable. Now it will depend on whether he is in the right team, has the right environment and how he handles the pressure," Todt added.

But also charging towards F1 is Giuliano Alesi, who like Mick Schumacher is also 16. He has been signed by Ferrari's driver development 'academy' for 2016, and will race in the F1 support series GP3.

Like Schumacher, Alesi's father Jean also drove for Ferrari, and he told Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport: "Giuliano has got into a big family, and he will stay there for a long time. I have supported Giuliano's wish to get into the world of motor sport. He grew up in this world -- my friends are drivers and managers," Frenchman Alesi added. (GMM)