2 hours Ago By [email protected] (Daniel Moxon)
Mick Schumacher has left his role as a reserve driver for Mercedes, the team has confirmed. The 25-year-old, son of seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher , has been their reserve for two seasons. He was immediately offered that role by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff after he lost his place on the grid with minnows Haas.
However, the team confirmed on Thursday that Schumacher has "chosen to leave" the role at the end of the current F1 season. It has already been confirmed that he will continue to race with Alpine in the World Endurance Championship next year. Explaining his decision, Schumacher said he wanted to focus fully on racing rather than the duties that come with being a reserve driver in F1, even if it meant focusing on another series.
He said: "I am grateful to Toto and the entire Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team for the insight I have gained over these two years. "They have undoubtedly made me a more experienced racing driver because I have got to know the engineering side better. But watching these cars race and not sitting in the cockpit myself is tough.
"I want to get back to focusing 100 percent on racing. I want to be fully committed to the sporting side of motorsport. Ultimately, it is racing that you want to do as a driver, it is racing that gives you that feeling you love.
" Wolff said: "Mick's hard work, diligence, and determination in his role as reserve driver has been vital for the team over the past two years. From his work in the simulator, testing of various cars, and being part of the trackside team, we could not have asked for any more from him. "From day one, he fitted into the team with ease and has become an incredibly well-liked colleague for everyone at Brackley and Brixworth.
However, Mick is first and foremost a racing driver. We have seen from both his time in F1, and this year with his performances in the World Endurance Championship, that he is a racer of an incredibly high calibre and one that deserves to be competing in the very best championships. "As he moves on to his next challenge, I would like to thank Mick personally for his contribution to our team and we all wish him the very best in his future endeavours.
" Mercedes are expected to bring back their former racer Valtteri Bottas as their reserve driver. As well as taking on the simulator and development duties previously assigned to Schumacher, the Finn will be on standby to race should one of their confirmed 2025 racers, George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, be unable to race. Catch all the action from Formula One on Sky Sports and get exclusive access to races, qualifying and much more for every Grand Prix.
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