Mercedes have signed Mick Schumacher as their third driver for 2023

In his most recent remarks, Mercedes F1 Director Toto Wolff had said: “The Schumacher family will always be a part of Mercedes.” Heralding the hiring of Mick Schumacher as reserve driver and test driver, which was finally officially announced today. Mercedes also held talks with Daniel Ricciardo for the same position before announcing the Australian’s return to Red Bull Racing.

Minutes before Mercedes’ announcement, Ferrari themselves officially announced that the 23-year-old German is no longer part of the Scuderia’s Young Driver Academy – as has been the case for the past few years. This information was also leaked last November, but has now been officially confirmed.

Mick will travel to all 2023 GPs in case he has to replace either Lewis Hamilton or George Russell. In between, he will work on the Brackley simulator to develop the car.

With Mercedes F1 investing in George Russell as a future lead driver and this winter preparing to extend Hamilton’s contract for a further two years (until the end of 2025), Mick Schumacher harbors no hopes of securing a racing position with the former Formula 1 champion in the near future.

We recall that Haas F1 recently announced it would not renew its contract with the German for 2023, opting instead for his 35-year-old compatriot Nico Hulkenberg, hoping his experience will help the team Earn points in 2023 to climb the leaderboard.

“Mick is a talented young rider and we’re delighted to have him on our team.”‘ said Wolff. “He works hard, has a calm and methodical approach and is still hungry to learn and improve as a driver. These are all important values ​​and we are happy that he supports us in the development of the W14. We know that even at two years old.” GP experience, he will be ready to get in the car and race if needed.”

Mick said in turn: “I see this as a fresh start and am grateful to Toto and everyone who has put their trust in me. F1 is such an exciting world and you never stop learning. That’s why I’m looking forward to absorbing more knowledge and devoting all my energies to the well-being of the Mercedes team.”

As for Ferrari, with which Michael Schumacher won five of his seven world championships from 2000 to 2004, it announced Mick’s departure from his academy after 2019. During those four years it offered him support in Formula 2, where he became champion in 2020, the opportunity to test in Formula 1 and helped him secure his place in Haas’ Formula 1. But he lost faith in the German this year when veteran Kevin Magnussen was consistently quicker than him in the GPs.