Schumacher puts in the miles with McLaren at Portimao

©McLaren

Mick Schumacher was handed his first track day with McLaren at Portimao on Wednesday, a scheduled outing that was part of the team's reserve driver arrangements with Mercedes.

Schumacher - who was left without a seat at the end of last season following the Haas' team's decision not to extend the German driver's contract - is the Brackley squad's official substitute this year for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.

However, as a Mercedes customer team, McLaren has access to Schumacher while it also has current IndyCar championship leader Alex Palou on its books as a potential reserve.

On Wednesday in Portugal, Schumacher was at the wheel of a 2021-spec McLaren MCL35M.

In a post on social media, McLaren said the test at Portimao was also an opportunity for the team's mechanic and engineering apprentices and interns to gain "valuable experience working in a trackside environment".

©McLaren

Schumacher will be in the UK on Thursday to prepare with Mercedes for next weekend's British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

A European races, Mercedes relies on the 24-year-old to help with set-up work in the outfit's simulator in Brackley on Friday evenings after the team's opening day of running at a venue to help fine-tune the car for Hamilton and Russell.

In Barcelona last month, both Mercedes drivers praised Schumacher for his contribution and ground work on race weekends.

Read also: Schumacher set for Goodwood outing with father's F1 Mercedes

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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.