Schumacher Jnr just misses podium place

Berlin: Mick Schumacher, the 17-year-old son of stricken Formula One legend Michael Schumacher, just missed a podium place in finishing fourth as the German Formula 4 season opened Saturday.

Having won both of his races on his Italian Formula 4 debut last Saturday in Misano, the teenage Schumacher finished 2.757 seconds behind winner Joey Mawson, 20, of Australia in the first of three races at the Oschersleben circuit near Hannover. 

Schumacher Jnr is racing in both the Italian and German Formula 4 championships this season.

In Friday's free practice, Mick Schumacher, who races for the Italian Prema Powerteam, had confirmed the solid impression he made in Italy by setting the fastest time.

Mawson, who races for Schumacher's former team Van Amersfoort Racing, had qualified in pole with Schumacher Jnr fifth on the grid for Saturday's race.

The German teenager narrowly lost the third place he had held for much of the race by 0.68 seconds to Jannes Fittje, 16, from the US Racing team in the closing stages.

Former Formula One driver Ralf Schumacher, the brother of Michael, is the team manager of US Racing and said he is keeping a close eye on his nephew.

"Of course I watch Mick and cross my fingers from him just like I do for my own drivers, but the boys have to look after themselves on the course," Ralf Schumacher, 40, told Sport1.

Mick Schumacher now has two more chances with further Oschersleben races on Sunday morning and afternoon.

Last season, he finished 10th overall in the German Formula 4 championship.

Former seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher suffered head injuries in a skiing accident in the French Alps in December 2013.

He spent six months in an induced coma before returning to his home in Switzerland to continue his rehabilitation.