“Not Like Before”: Lewis Hamilton Downplays Return of Schumacher Name, Adding Big Question Mark on Mercedes Promise

The Schumacher name is one of the most iconic surnames in the history of Formula 1. That being said, it does bring with it the added pressure of expectation. Something that Mick Schumacher undoubtedly faced in his short F1 career. But now, he’s been given a new lease of life, so to speak, by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. The German was signed up to the Brackley squad as a Reserve driver for 2023. His father, Michael Schumacher played a big part in the forthcoming dominance of the team, but Lewis Hamilton has given it all a big reality check.

The 7x Champion opened up on the realities of being a reserve driver recently. He was quoted by Nextgen-Auto.com as saying, “Mick is a great talent. Toto made a good decision, Mick is an asset to Mercedes. He is a German driver and his father and Mercedes were already closely linked. You don’t really work closely with the third driver anymore.” [translated via Google Translate]

“It’s a lot of simulator work and it’s not like before, although we will still be teammates.”

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Even though Lewis Hamilton won’t have any realistic connection with Michael Schumacher’s son Mick, he does have a deep-rooted connection with the other 7x Champion according to his boss Toto Wolff.

Toto Wolff compares Lewis Hamilton to Michael Schumacher in light of 2022 woes

Michael Schumacher made a sensational return to racing in 2010 with the then newly formed Mercedes team. Even though he did not stick around to taste the victory champagne himself, his relentless efforts helped Mercedes reach the pinnacle of this sport and dominate. Now, Lewis Hamilton finds himself with a similar agenda.

Wolff said on the Beyond the Grid podcast, “Obviously, there is his involvement in developing the car, and his presence in the factory. But I think on the race weekends, he has become such a senior figure, maybe a little bit like Michael was back in the day. He’s been with the team now 10 years. He’s a team member.”

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Wolff has said in the past that he’s here to provide Mick Schumacher with all the opportunities he deserves, however, Hamilton has insisted that, that isn’t the need of the hour for the team right now. How will Hamilton and Schumacher get on at Mercedes?