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Schumacher earmarked for Pirelli test with Mercedes

Mick Schumacher will reportedly make his track debut with Mercedes after next weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, the young German remaining in Barcelona for a Pirelli tyre test.

According to Bild, Mercedes will be on track with its W14 car at the Circuit de Catalunya next Tuesday and Wednesday, with George Russell running on the first day and Schumacher taking over driving duties on the second day.

After losing his seat with Haas at the end of last season, Schumacher was picked up by Mercedes and named as the team's official reserve driver for 2023, a role that has seen the 24-year-old embed with the team on race weekends and conduct simulator work at Brackely.

Read also: Russell anticipating 'small jump' for Mercedes in Barcelona

Schumacher aspires to return to the grid in 2024, but Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff believes the German's prospects are currently bleak.

"It’s a difficult situation because the cockpits are taken with us and I would wish for Mick to get a seat, he would have deserved it," Wolff said. "The situation in 2024 is so unfavourable.

"In 2025, a few doors will open again.

"We have to be careful because if we support Mick too much, then there are those who want to make it particularly difficult and then come crawling out of their holes."

Any opening at Red Bull also appears to be compromised. Mick's uncle, Ralf Schumacher recently suggested that Red Bull motosport boss Helmut Marko "has a problem with the Schumacher name".

But the Austrian denied that has ever been the case.

"I have no problem with the name Schumacher," he told OE24. "For me, Michael Schumacher is the greatest, and I talk to Ralf regularly.

"But there's one thing he gets confused about: our F1 program is based on performance, not marketing."

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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.