Mick Schumacher makes F1 test debut in Bahrain

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Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time world champion Michael, has made his Formula One test debut for Ferrari in Bahrain on Tuesday and lapped second fastest behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

Mick Schumacher completed 56 laps, with a best lap of 1 minute 29.976 seconds set on the softest, and fastest, C5 tires – softer than anyone else's.

"I really enjoyed today. It felt like home in the garage from the very first moment with a lot of people that know me since I was very young," he said.

The 20-year-old German made his Formula Two debut at the Sakhir circuit over the weekend and finished eighth and sixth in the two races.

"The SF90 is incredible because of the power it has, but it is also smooth to drive, and that's why I enjoyed myself so much," said Schumacher.

"I was impressed by the braking power an F1 car has. It seemed to me you could brake later and later and the car would have made the turn anyway."

Mick Schumacher of Germany is seen in Ferrari SF90 during F1 testing in Bahrain, April 2, 2019. /VCG Photo

The reigning European F3 champion will also test with the Ferrari-powered Alfa Romeo team on Wednesday.

Michael Schumacher, who still holds the record of 91 Grand Prix wins, won five of his titles with Ferrari in a golden period from 2000 to 2004.

He last raced for the team in 2006 before a comeback with Mercedes from 2010-12 and has not been seen in public since he suffered serious head injuries in a skiing accident in December 2013 and has remained in private care.

Lewis Hamilton, Sunday's race winner for Mercedes after Ferrari's Charles Leclerc suffered a late engine problem, was sixth fastest.

Double world champion Fernando Alonso, who left Formula One at the end of last season, was back in a McLaren testing tires for Pirelli.

(With input from AFP, Reuters)