Mercedes announces departure of 25-year-old former F2 champion from the team
Mercedes announced Mick Schumacher's departure at the end of the 2024 F1 season on Thursday. The former F1 driver has been at the helm of Mercedes' reserve and test driver roles and worked behind Lewis Hamilton and George Russell for the Silver Arrows.
Schumacher is a former Haas F1 driver who lost his seat at the end of the 2022 F1 season. After Haas parted ways with the German driver, he joined the Brackley-based team as a reserve driver. He has been in the same role for two back-to-back seasons.
Amid this, the son of renowned former F1 driver Michael Schumacher joined Alpine and its Endurance Racing program. He raced in the WEC and grabbed a podium earlier this season. However, his F1 chance did not arrive. As the former F2 champion parted ways with the eight-time Constructors' Championship winner, Toto Wolff had words of appraisal aplenty. The Mercedes boss said to the media:
“Mick’s hard work, diligence, and determination in his role as Reserve Driver has been vital for the team over the past two years. From his work in the simulator, testing of various cars, and being part of the trackside team, we couldn’t have asked for any more from him. However, Mick is first and foremost a racing driver.
We have seen from both his time in F1, and this year with his performances in the World Endurance Championship, that he is a racer of an incredibly high calibre and one that deserves to be competing in the very best championships. As he moves on to his next challenge, I would like to thank Mick personally for his contribution to our team and we all wish him the very best in his future endeavors."
Schumacher joined Formula 1 as a Haas driver in 2021. He was joined by Russian former driver Nikita Mazepin who Haas sacked in 2022. Schumacher remained in the team and raced alongside Kevin Magnussen.
However, at the end of the 2022 season, Guenther Steiner and Gene Haas decided to part ways with the 25-year-old, due to his lack of performance. They were in support of bringing experienced hands to the Kannapolis-based outfit, and as a result, Schumacher lost his F1 seat, and it was given to Nico Hulkenberg.
Mick Schumacher shares his thoughts following his Mercedes departure
Mick Schumacher shared his thoughts as he is all set to leave the Mercedes AMG F1 team at the end of this season. With this, he is free to look for the next opportunities in the motorsport fraternity.
"I am grateful to Toto and the entire Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team for the insight I have gained over these two years,” the 25-year-old said. “They have undoubtedly made me a more experienced racing driver because I have got to know the engineering side better."
Schumacher has yet to land a seat. He underwent tests with Williams and was the subject of rumors about joining Sauber. However, the Mattia Binotto-led team announced the signing of Gabriel Bortoleto for the 2025 season, closing the door for the German star.
Schumacher registered 44 F1 entries in his career and claimed 12 career points. He made his debut in the 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix, and his last race was the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.