Schumacher moves to Mercedes as 2023 reserve driver

Former Haas driver Mick Schumacher has signed up to be reserve driver for the Mercedes F1 squad in 2023, the team that his father Michael raced for between 2010 and 2012.

It means he will play an important role in the ongoing development of the team's new W14 car and conduct regular work in the simulator at Brackley throughout the year.

He will also attend all 24 Grand Prix races in his new role, alongside carrying out marketing duties across the year, meaning he will be on stand by in the event that either Lewis Hamilton or George Russell are sidelined.

• Read also: Schumacher explains limited progress in second F1 season

It comes after Schumacher was left without a race seat for next season after two years with Haas, which saw him make 43 race starts.

"I am thrilled to be part of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 team as their reserve driver for 2023," said the 23-year-old German in a press release from the squad.

"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."

Mercedes said that Schumacher had impressed with his maturity, technical feedback and work ethic throughout his career; all qualities highly prized in a driver.

"Mick is a talented young driver and we're delighted to have him join the team," commented Mercedes principal Toto Wolff.

"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 F1 under his belt, he will be ready to step into the car at short notice to replace either Lewis or George, should that need arise.

“Mick is someone that has always been close to our heart, because of Michael, and the whole Schumacher family, Ralf was in the DTM for a long time with us, his son races Mercedes in GTs."

"It's great to have Mick on board," added Markus Schäfer, non-executive chairman and CTO at Mercedes-Benz AG. "He has already demonstrated impressive talent on the track.

"I look forward to watching him apply that to the development side too," he continued. "He has a great deal to offer in this important role.

"We have big plans for 2023, and Mick is integral to those as part of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 family."

This year the role of reserve driver at Mercedes had been held by Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne, but de Vries is now confirmed as full-time driver for AlphaTauri in 2023 after making his race debut with Williams in Monza.

There was speculation linking Daniel Ricciardo with a move to Mercedes, but in the end the Australian opted to become third driver for Red Bull Racing instead.

That left the door open for Schumacher to take the role and ensure he stays in the F1 paddock next year despite not being on the grid.

Prior to his making his F1 debut, Schumacher was 2018 FIA Formula 3 European Champion with a run of nine podium finishes, including five wins, from the final 11 races.

Schumacher subsequently sealed the 2020 FIA Formula 2 Championship in his sophomore year with two victories and eight podiums.

He joined Haas in 2021 alongside fellow rookie Nikita Mazepin, and remained with the team this year with the more experiences Kevin Magnussen, which saw him secure a career-best result of sixth in the Austrian GP.

However a number of costly accidents and a general perceived failure to thrive saw relations between Schumacher and team principal Guenther Steiner sour, and he was let go in favour of Nico Hulkenberg.

The move to Mercedes means that Schumacher will cut his long-time ties with Ferrari.

“Scuderia Ferrari thanks Mick for these four years and the many kilometres covered together, and wishes him all the best for the future,” said a Ferrari statement.

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