Mercedes have confirmed that Mick Schumacher will take on the role of reserve driver for 2023, following his departure from Haas.
2020 F2 champion Schumacher contested two seasons with Haas, but was moved aside in favour of Nico Hulkenberg for 2023 – the team preferring the 181 Grands Prix’ worth of experience of Schumacher’s compatriot to help move them up the midfield.
Following the news of Schumacher’s exit from Haas, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was open about wanting to “look after” the German, as he pointed to his family’s links to Mercedes: Mick’s seven-time champion father Michael competed for Mercedes in sportscars and DTM prior to becoming an F1 driver, before finishing his career at the Silver Arrows in a three-year spell from 2010-12, while Mick’s uncle Ralf and cousin David have also raced for Mercedes in various categories
Speaking of the confirmation that Schumacher would step up into Mercedes’ reserve role – with the team’s two 2022 reserve drivers, Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne, having found berths at AlphaTauri (in a race seat) and Aston Martin (as reserve) for next year – Wolff said: “Mick is a talented young driver and we’re delighted to have him join the team. He is a hard worker, has a calm and methodical approach and is still hungry to learn and improve as a driver. These are all important qualities, and we’re excited for him to help us develop the W14.
“We also know that with two years of experience racing in Formula 1 under his belt, he will be ready to step into the car at short notice to replace either Lewis [Hamilton] or George [Russell], should that need arise.”
Schumacher added of his new role: “I am thrilled to be part of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team as their reserve driver for 2023, and I am committed to give it my all to contribute to their performance in this very competitive and
professional environment.
“I take this as a new start, and I am just excited and grateful to Toto and everybody involved for putting their trust in me. F1 is such a fascinating world, and you never stop learning, so I look forward to absorbing more knowledge and putting in all my efforts for the benefit of the Mercedes team.”
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It had been thought that Daniel Ricciardo might take up the role of Mercedes reserve next year, before it was confirmed in November that the Australian would return to the Red Bull team – with whom he won seven of his eight Grands Prix – as a third driver for 2023.
Earlier on Thursday, meanwhile, Ferrari announced that they would be ending their collaboration with Schumacher after four years, Schumacher having joined the driver academy of the team his father won five of his seven world titles for, back in 2019.