Schumacher has first seat fitting with Mercedes

©Mercedes

Mercedes F1 reserve Mick Schumacher slot himself behind the wheel a Silver Arrow for the very first time this week, the young German undergoing his first seat fitting with the team.

After being dropped by Haas at the end of last year, Schumacher succeeded in keeping at least one foot in F1's door, thanks to Mercedes which has taken the 23-year-old under it wing, ten years after his legendary father Michael last raced for the Brackley squad.

Schumacher will embed with Mercedes during the entire 2023 season, ready to stand in to replace Lewis Hamilton or George Russel should either driver become suddenly unavailable.

Regardless of how this year's campaign turns out for Mercedes, Schumacher is hoping to return to the grid at some point in the future.

"He’s a well-educated, intelligent and talented young man," commented Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff.

"You can see his junior career track record was very good and I believe that if we can give him a safe environment to further develop, he can be a good racing driver in a permanent seat in the future."

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.