Euro F3 champion Mick Schumacher to step up to F2 with Prema in '19

The 19-year-old took eight wins and a further six podiums on his way to his first major title this season in European F3 with Prema Racing's sister outfit Prema Powerteam.

Schumacher attended last weekend's F2 season finale in Abu Dhabi, and will also test with Prema at the Yas Marina circuit from Thursday to Saturday later this week.

"I'm really looking forward to contesting my next season with Prema in FIA Formula 2 - a logical step on my sporting path in my view, because I want to further improve my technical experience and driving skills," said Schumacher.

"For me, it was very clear to go into Formula 2 with Prema.

"I can't thank the Prema family enough for what we achieved together as a team, especially this year, how we continued to develop together.

"I'm also really excited to drive the Formula 2 tests in Abu Dhabi."

Prema team principal Rene Rosin added: "We are proud to welcome Mick to our Formula 2 operation for 2019.

"He is an extremely talented and dedicated racer, working with him is a pleasure and we can't wait to begin this adventure together.

"This championship is not an easy one due to its learning curve for rookies especially with the introduction of the new car, but we think that Mick has the maturity and skills needed to make it."

Prema finished fifth in the F2 teams' championship this year, with Nyck de Vries taking fourth and Sean Gelael 15th in the drivers' standings.

Gelael has stated he wants to return to F2 next year, and that will most likely be with Prema - starting with testing this week.

Sette Camara joins DAMS for test

Elsewhere in this week's test, Sergio Sette Camara will switch from Carlin to DAMS, replacing new Toro Rosso Formula 1 signing Alexander Albon.

New McLaren protege Sette Camara finished sixth in the drivers' championship this year, helping Carlin to the teams' championship, but is understood to be almost certain to join DAMS for 2019.

"I'm doing all three days with them [DAMS] but I'm 100% not confirmed for next year with them," Sette Camara told Autosport.

"Of course when you do three days with the team you are working towards creating a good car for the season.

"We have a lot of confidence we can be with them next year."

Sette Camara is the fourth driver to be confirmed for the post-season test, after Schumacher, GP3 Series runner-up Nikita Mazepin (ART Grand Prix) and Honda protege Nobuharu Matsushita, who will drive for Carlin.

Both Matsushita and Mazepin are confirmed for F2 with those teams in 2019.

Sette Camara will likely be partnered this week by DAMS regular Nicholas Latifi.

Haas-linked Louis Deletraz is set to try Carlin's F2 car and de Vries is expected to switch to ART for the test.

GP3 Series champion Anthoine Hubert is expected to drive for MP Motorsport in testing while Tatiana Calderon, Juan Manuel Correa and Callum Ilott should test with the now-Sauber-affiliated Charouz Racing System.

Abu Dhabi F2 test line-up

ART: Nyck de Vries, Nikita Mazepin
Arden: Ralph Boschung, Thomas Laurent
Carlin: Nobuharu Matsushita, Louis Deletraz
Campos: Marino Sato, Ralf Aron, Leonardo Pulcini, Jack Aitken
Charouz: Tatiana Calderon, Juan Manuel Correa, Callum Ilott, Jack Aitken
DAMS: Nicholas Latifi, Sergio Sette Camara
MP Motorsport: Anthoine Hubert, Juan Manuel Correa
Prema: Mick Schumacher, Sean Gelael
Trident: Ryan Tveter, Leonardo Pulcini
TBC: Guan Yu Zhou, Luca Ghiotto