Mick Schumacher - son of seven-time world champion Michael - will ascend the first step on the ladder that could one day, like his father, lead him to Ferrari, when he makes his Formula One debut with Haas next season.
The 21-year-old German, who has signed a multi-year agreement, leads the Formula Two championship before this weekend's finale at Bahrain's Sakhir circuit.
"The prospect of being on the Formula One grid next year makes me incredibly happy and I'm simply speechless," says Schumacher.
"I have always believed that I would realise my dream of Formula One."
Schumacher, a member of the Ferrari young driver academy, will form an all-new line-up at Haas, along with Russian Nikita Mazepin, whose signing was announced earlier this week.
The pair replace Frenchman Romain Grosjean, currently recovering from a fiery crash in the Bahrain Grand Prix last Monday, and Denmark's Kevin Magnussen.
Schumacher will be in the car next week, with Haas slotting him in for Saturday's first practice at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
He will also take part in a young driver test at Yas Marina later this month.
"The Formula Two championship has long served as a proving ground for talent to showcase their credentials and this year's field has undoubtedly been one of the most competitive in recent seasons," says Haas principal Guenther Steiner.
"I firmly believe he's earned the opportunity to graduate into Formula One, based on his performances."
Schumacher has a 14-point lead in the F2 standings, with two races to go.
Michael Schumacher retired in 2012, after a three-season comeback with Mercedes.
The Ferrari great has not been seen in public, since suffering severe head injuries in a skiing accident in the French Alps in 2013.
Ferrari, with whom Michael won five of his seven titles, has already signed Spaniard Carlos Sainz to drive alongside Leclerc in 2021-22.
Reuters
