Bernie Ecclestone says he hopes seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher's teenage son Mick can make it all the way to Formula One.

Mick Schumacher is stepping up to European Formula 3 in 2017 with Prema Powerteam, having finished runner-up in both the German and Italian Formula 4 championships last season, taking a total of 10 wins across both series in the process.

When asked if he would like to see Mick on the F1 grid in the near future, Ecclestone told German newspaper Bild: "If he is anywhere near as good as his father, why not? It would be good for Formula One if the name Schumacher was with us again."

European Formula 3 launched the career of Red Bull's Max Verstappen and has proved an important step in the racing ladder for many top drivers. Williams driver Lance Stroll, who will make his F1 debut at the age of 18, won the F3 title with Prema in 2016.

If Mick were to make it to F1, he would become the third Schumacher to compete in the sport, following in the footsteps of his father Michael and uncle Ralf, who also raced for Jordan, Williams and Toyota between 1997 and 2007, recording six wins.