Schumacher hits the track with Mercedes W14

©Mercedes

On Wednesday in Barcelona, Mick Schumacher returned to doing what he loves most in his life, driving a F1 car in anger.

For the first time this season, the Mercedes reserve driver was behind the wheel of the team's 2023 contender courtesy of Pirelli which is conducting a two-day tyre test at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Schumacher took over driving duties from George Russell who was on track on Tuesday, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc also in action in Barcelona as part of Pirelli's programme.

While the outing is Schumacher's first track test with Mercedes, the 24-year-old is well acquainted with the team's W14 having driven the machine for hours on hand in the Brackley squad's simulator as part of the outfit's development programme.

Read also: Mercedes drivers praise Schumacher for Spanish GP sim work

Schumacher was brought under the Mercedes umbrella this year after two seasons with Haas and after Ferrari released the young German from its driver academy mentorship programme.

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

©Mercedes

"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."

Wednesday's outing in Barcelona marks the first time in over ten years that a Schumacher is reunited on track with a Mercedes F1 car since May 2013, when Mick's father, the legendary Michael Schumacher, demonstrated a W02 silver arrow around the Nürburgring's Nordschleife.

The seven-time World Champion's final race with Mercedes, and in F1, was at the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.

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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.