Mick Schumacher joined Mercedes as reserve driver for the 2023 season after being launched by Haas following his first two campaigns in System 1; Mercedes staff principal Toto Wolff says Schumacher might comply with within the footsteps of predecessor Nyck de Vries in leaving for a everlasting seat
Final Up to date: 24/01/23 2:49pm
Mick Schumacher has joined Mercedes as reserve driver for the 2023 F1 season
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says the staff are more likely to be open to permitting newly recruited reserve driver Mick Schumacher to depart if a possibility for a everlasting System 1 seat arises elsewhere.
Schumacher, the son of seven-time System 1 world champion Michael, signed up as Mercedes reserve for the 2023 marketing campaign after being launched by Haas following his first two seasons within the sport.
With Mercedes’ driver line-up of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell showing to be set for the following few seasons, the fact is that Schumacher’s most definitely return to the grid will come away from the staff.
Requested about his choice to signal Schumacher, Wolff stated: “Crucial issue is his persona. He is a well-educated, clever and proficient younger man.
“You’ll be able to see his junior profession monitor file was excellent and I consider that if we can provide him a protected atmosphere to additional develop, he could be a good racing driver in a everlasting seat sooner or later.”
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Mick Schumacher speaks after his transfer to Mercedes
Schumacher has changed Nyck de Vries within the Mercedes reserve position, with the Dutchman having been signed by AlphaTauri after biding his time with the Silver Arrows.
“In the identical method now we have let Nyck de Vries go to ensure that him to attain a profession, that could possibly be one thing that might occur to Mick,” Wolff stated.
“Whether or not it’s in our staff or letting him go some other place, we do not know at this stage.”
The opportunity of a everlasting seat changing into out there at Mercedes any time quickly seems extremely unlikely, with seven-time world champion Hamilton anticipated to signal a contract extension, and Russell having delivered a extremely spectacular debut season with the staff final yr.
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Mick Schumacher stated he felt had extracted probably the most out of every state of affairs and was ‘disillusioned’ at dropping his seat at Haas
The staff wish to bounce again after their eight-year streak of constructors’ titles was ended by Crimson Bull final yr, and Wolff is adamant Schumacher can play an important position.
He stated: “The place he (Schumacher) will massively contribute is that he is pushed the brand new automobile for a yr, has been in F1 for 2 years, is aware of the tyres, is aware of the difficulties within the inherent DNA of the present era of F1 automobiles, and he will likely be tremendous useful within the simulator and in assessing the automobile general.
“Will probably be good to have him on monitor and within the debriefing room, and he is a reputable younger racing driver. From that perspective, now we have undoubtedly gained with Mick becoming a member of the staff.”
Mercedes have introduced they may formally launch their W14 on February 15, eight days earlier than pre-season testing begins in Bahrain.
The opening Grand Prix of the season can also be in Bahrain, happening from March 3-5.