Schumacher and Mercedes: Behind this combination lies a long history of German motorsport. It tells of discovery, promotion, loss and return.
A new chapter was added on Thursday. From January 1st, Mick Schumacher will be the reserve driver for the German Formula 1 racing team based in England. The team announced this at noon. “Mick will play an important role in the further development of the W14. The 23-year-old has impressed throughout his career with his maturity, technical feedback and work ethic – all qualities that are highly valued in a driver. He now joins the team his father Michael drove for between 2010 and 2012.”
This news is not a surprise. Shortly before the season finale in Abu Dhabi, when it became known that Schumacher should no longer have a future as a regular driver at Haas, Mercedes’ team boss Toto Wolff had spoken out loud about his interest in the son of record world champion Michael Schumacher. “Mick is a talented young rider and we are delighted to have him on the team. He’s a hard worker, has a calm and methodical approach and is still hungry to learn and improve as a driver.”
“It’s great to have Mick on board,” added Mercedes Petronas Chairman Markus Schäfer: “We have big plans for 2023 and Mick, as part of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 family, is an integral part of it.”
Family is a big word and it should be treated with caution when it is mentioned in top-class sport. Schumacher will have to deliver. How can he as the first “reserve driver” (substitute driver), the English term for his new status? Seen from a distance, this task is a game of patience with a low chance of being used in racing.
After his first two years as a Formula 1 driver, the 23-year-old will only take the wheel of a Silver Arrow in a Grand Prix if Lewis Hamilton or George Russell are unable to do so for whatever reason. Everyone will try to prevent that. Since there is a cooperation with Williams and McLaren, Schumacher’s “chance” is somewhat extended. And otherwise? Doomed to watch as a young, hungry driver in the queue?
The substitute driver is also a simulation pilot
This is what it looks like. But the contract, which can also be seen without looking, will regulate minutely when and how Schumacher has to participate in the advance of the series winner, for example on the Friday before a race. The substitute driver is also a simulation pilot.
“I am very happy to be part of the Mercedes team as reserve driver for 2023,” said Mick Schumacher, according to a team statement: “I will do everything I can to contribute to the team’s performance in this very competitive and professional environment. I see this as a kind of fresh start.”
At Haas, Mick Schumacher drove in a different world
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Image: AFP
One of the most modern Formula 1 simulators is located at the Mercedes team’s headquarters in Brackley. Since test drives on the track were reduced to just a few days before the start of the season, this tool has become enormously important. After Hamilton and Russell’s first practice sessions on a Friday on the track, the reserve pilot has to climb into the simulator in Brackley. There it should then be found out, for example, which voting alternatives could bring Mercedes forward to qualifying or to endurance running over more than 300 kilometers in the Grand Prix. The results are transferred back to the racecourse and processed there. Ideally, the simulation group is part of the success.
That’s another reason why Hamilton was happy to thank the team at home after many of his 103 victories so far. Schumacher would then be close to him for a long time. At all races in Europe he will travel to the racetracks on Fridays after his assignment in the simulator in order to be able to take over the wheel if the worst comes to the worst. During the overseas Formula 1 tours, a young driver climbs onto the simulator seat because Schumacher could not arrive in time.
