Schu jr close to deal with Ferrari-linked team

Mick Schumacher, the 16-year-old son of F1 legend Michael, looks set to sign a deal with a Ferrari-linked Italian junior team.

Amid great fanfare, Mick made his single-seater debut in the German F4 series last year, driving for the Dutch team Van Amersfoort.

But Kolner Express newspaper reports that with Schumacher wanting to also contest the Italian series next year, his manager Sabine Kehm is in talks with Prema.

Prema is a Ferrari-linked Italian junior outfit, whose founder Angelo Rosin said: "We will meet in early January."

The report said young Schumacher could also race for Prema in the German series this year, but he is apparently also in talks with Van Amersfoort as well as the new outfit co-owned by his uncle Ralf.

Van Amersfoort said: "I’m waiting for Sabine Kehm’s decision."

Michael Schumacher, who turned 47 three days ago, won five consecutive world championships for Ferrari between 2000 and 2004.