Mick Schumacher has announced his decision to leave his role as reserve driver for Mercedes at the end of the 2024 Formula 1 season. After two years with the team, Schumacher’s focus has shifted toward fully committing to racing in 2025, as he looks to chart a new path in his motorsport career.
Schumacher joined Mercedes in 2023 after losing his Haas F1 seat to Nico Hülkenberg and exiting the Ferrari Driver Academy. His tenure at Mercedes not only connected him to the team his father, Michael Schumacher, drove for from 2010 to 2012 but also allowed him to deepen his understanding of F1’s engineering and operational dynamics. Reflecting on his experience, Schumacher expressed gratitude to the team while emphasizing the challenges of not being behind the wheel.
“I am grateful to Toto and the entire Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team for the insight I have gained over these two years,” Schumacher said. “They have undoubtedly made me a more experienced racing driver… But watching these cars race and not sitting in the cockpit myself is tough. I want to get back to focusing 100% on racing. Ultimately, it is racing that you want to do as a driver; it is racing that gives you that feeling you love.”
While Schumacher will not secure an F1 race seat in 2025 due to a lack of realistic openings, his commitment to returning to full-time competition is evident. Speculation about a potential Sauber seat alongside Hülkenberg was quelled when F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto claimed the spot. However, Schumacher remains steadfast, having combined his reserve duties with an Alpine drive in the World Endurance Championship.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff praised Schumacher’s contributions and professionalism, highlighting his simulator work, car testing, and seamless integration with the team. “Mick’s hard work, diligence, and determination… have been vital for the team over the past two years. He is a racer of an incredibly high caliber and one that deserves to be competing in the very best championships.”
Looking ahead, Schumacher’s next steps remain uncertain, though a potential Cadillac F1 drive for 2026 looms as a possibility. For now, the 25-year-old is focused on rekindling his passion for competitive racing, with ambitions to return stronger than ever.
