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Despite Recent Mick Schumacher Entry, Mercedes Ready To “Let Him Go”

Published 01/18/2023, 7:30 AM EST

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After two bitter-sweet years at Haas, Mick Schumacher made quite an uncharacteristic move as a reserve driver to Mercedes. However, the German team is ready to let him go, despite acquiring him a few months back. However, it depends on the young German and a few criteria reveal Mercedes F1 honcho Toto Wolff.

About this, Toto Wolff shared in a report published by Next Gen Auto, “I believe that if we can provide him with a safe environment to develop further, he can be a good driver in a full-time seat in the future. Whether it’s with our team or whether we have to let him go, we don’t know yet.”

The Mercedes boss also emphasized how Schumacher Jr. could be helpful with the simulator and in making judgments about the car. His on-track experience of two years could be mighty when it comes to the role of a reserve driver at Mercedes. Moreover, he was given a checklist at “safe environment” Mercedes to ensure F1’s future and further growth.

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Schumacher Jr. lost his seat this year after spending two years on the American team. The Kannapolis-based team decided to replace the young German with his compatriot Nico Hulkenberg, as they were looking for someone with more experience with the seat.

Haas boss didn’t want Mick Schumacher as a reserve driver

Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner isn’t a person who likes Mick Schumacher wholeheartedly. The American team boss criticized the young German on multiple occasions as he incurred enormous expenses for his team due to multiple crashes last season.

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via Reuters

After the announcement of Nico Hulkenberg as the replacement, Steiner didn’t ask Schumacher to be on the team and stay as a reserve driver. Steiner revealed this in a report published by Crash.net, “I didn’t ask him, to be honest. It’s always difficult for somebody if you have driven for a team to then be relegated to reserve driver. I don’t think he would be happy with that.”

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The Haas boss also clarified that the young German didn’t approach Haas’ higher authority about the reserve driver role. Steiner, however, felt it would have been “too cheap” to ask him to be the reserve driver after spending two years as the main driver.

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WATCH THIS STORY: Vettel & Mick’s team got knocked out by Jimmie Johnson & Colton Herta

As for Schumacher Jr, he is hopeful of an F1 seat in 2024 as he expects to attend every race with Mercedes in 2023 and gain enough knowledge and experience to land himself an opportunity by next season.

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Written by:

Sabyasachi Biswas

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Sabyasachi Biswas is an F1 and NASCAR writer at EssentiallySports. He has completed his Master's in Mass Communication and Journalism from Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Sabyasachi is an ardent Red Bull and Max Verstappen fan and has been following the sport for over a decade now.
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Edited by:

Varunkumaar Chelladurai