Mick Schumacher takes important step towards F1 destiny

Mick Schumacher celebrates victory in the Formula 4 Race at Oschersleben Germany, 2015. Photo/ATP

Mick Schumacher is determined to rewrite the legacy of his family name, revealing he dreams of matching his dad Michael's Formula One title achievements.

And now the 17-year-old has a chance to take a major step towards that goal, stepping up to the top European F3 championship for 2017.

In a bold move, he also says he is now ready to use the legendary Schumacher name, rather than his mother's surname, Betsch.

Former Mercedes F1 driver Michael Schumacher attends a news conference to announce his retirement from Formula One at the end of 2012. Photo/AP Photos

Schumacher junior told Germany's Bild newspaper: "I want to be a F1 world champion, like every driver.

"F3 is the next step for me and I can hardly wait. 2017 will certainly be a challenge, but the tests in the past few weeks have shown that the car is great fun to drive.

"This is the category that all the big names have come through. From the point of view of professionalism, it's a bit closer to F1 and a bit more difficult."

But the former karting star insists he will only join F1 once he feels ready.

"I will only know the moment when it comes," he says. "I will do it in the way that I think is right."

Schumacher senior (47), who won the world F1 title seven times, is still being treated for a serious head injury, suffered when skiing in December 2013.

It was revealed earlier this week that the family has racked up a $NZ24 million medical bill since the accident.

And Mick believes he could handle the spotlight created by his dad's all-time great driving record.

"Even if there is a lot of attention on me, I want to race and that's the most important thing."