By alley - Nov 3, 2016, 6:01 AM ET

F3: Mick Schumacher starts testing

Mick Schumacher has begun his testing program in anticipation of a move up to the Formula 3 European Championship in 2017.

The 17-year-old son of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher is testing with top squad Prema Powerteam at the Nurburgring on Thursday, on the first day of a two-day test.

Schumacher has

already hinted that he aims to move up to F3

, after finishing second in the German and Italian Formula 4 championships this season.

Joining Schumacher in Prema's Mercedes-powered Dallaras at the Nurburgring is Ferrari Driver Academy prospect Guan Yu Zhou, who raced this season in F3 with Motopark.

Also in action is Van Amersfoort Racing, with Australian Joey Mawson –

who beat Schumacher to the German F4 crown

– and Canadian Kami Laliberte.

Hitech GP is on track at the German circuit too, with Nikita Mazepin driving on both days.

The Russian is joined on Thursday by highly rated German David Beckmann, who raced for Mucke Motorsport this season, before Estonian Ralf Aron, who competed with Prema, steps in on Friday.

Formula Renault Eurocup champion Lando Norris is testing with Motopark, along with the team's 2016 European F3 rookie title winner Joel Eriksson, while Fortec Motorsport is running FRenault graduate Jehan Daruvala in a Euroformula Open car.

Meanwhile, Double R Racing has continued its Macau Grand Prix preparation at Pembrey, with Dan Ticktum driving on Tuesday and Alexander Sims in the cockpit on Thursday.

Originally on Autosport.com