The next Schumacher and Formula One

Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton is convinced that the name Schumacher will soon be part of Formula One racing again, and former winner Fernando Alonso agrees that it would be great for the sport.

Mick Schumacher, the son of record F1 world champion Michael Schumacher, clinched the Formula Three title last weekend, which has not gone unnoticed among the top drivers.

"There will one hundred per cent be a Schumacher back in Formula One, partly because of the name, but secondly because he’s doing a great job. He’s obviously got a lot of talent as his Dad had," Hamilton said Thursday at the US Grand Prix in Austin.

Alonso said: "He has great talent and he will be good for the sport, to have the Schumacher name again in F1."

But it is not just Michael Schumacher's record-breaking achievements during his career that make a possible F1 career of his son so intriguing.

There is also the emotional side because Michael Schumacher has not appeared in public since a ski accident in December 2013, shielded by his family in their Swiss home.

"Of course Mick in Formula One would be special. He would touch the hearts of many fans in a unique way," F1 boss Chase Carey recently told Germany's Bild am Sonntag paper.

It helps his cause in this respect that he has the same manager as his father in Sabine Kehm who is preparing him carefully for all that is to come.

The main question is when Mick Schumacher will make the step into F1.

The 18-year-old has garnered the required amount of points for the F1 super licence but it is widely believed that he will spend one more year in another series to further improve his driving skills.

All he has said so far is that "every driver has the aim to drive in Formula One. It is the premier class of motorsport."

Ferrari team pricipal Maurizio Arrivabene has said that the door is "always open" for the youngster, as his father made himself immortal at the famed Italian team by winning five of his seven world titles while at the Scuderia.

Mick Schumacher has attended F1 races as a Ferrari guest, but also as one of Mercedes, the last team his father raced for between 2010 and 2012.

Hamilton recalled that the youngster was "very attentative" and also believes that he will be able to cope with the pressure in all aspects.

"He’s doing a really great job and he’s a really great kid as well," Hamilton said. "he’s got a great talent as his Dad had so I don’t think it will be a burden. I think it could be great for the sport."

Hamilton took Michael Schumacher's place at Mercedes in 2013 and Alonso earlier ended his run of five straight world titles by lifting the trophy in 2005 and 2006.

"Let’s see what the future brings, not putting extra pressure on him which I’m sure he has enough already. Let time decide," Alonso said.