Schumacher to leave Mercedes F1 reserve role at end of 2024

The German driver is keen to pursue other opportunities in racing

Mick Schumacher will depart from his Formula 1 reserve driver position at Mercedes at the end of the season, as Valtteri Bottas looks set to assume the role for 2025.

The German joined the team as reserve at the start of 2023 after losing his Haas seat to Nico Hulkenberg at the end of 2022, also leaving the Ferrari Driver Academy, to link up with the squad his father Michael had driven for between 2010 and 2012.

After two years at the team, Schumacher has elected to depart in order to pursue other opportunities - although this will not be a race drive in F1 next year as there are no realistic options left.

Schumacher had been in the conversation for the second Sauber seat alongside Hulkenberg, but this went to F2 championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto.

He stated that his focus was "100% on racing" in 2025; Schumacher dovetailed his Mercedes reserve role with an Alpine drive in the World Endurance Championship.

"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 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% 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."

Team principal and CEO Toto Wolff thanked Schumacher for his efforts - and accepted the 25-year-old's explanation that he wished to pursue a full racing programme in 2025.

"Mick's hard work, diligence, and determination in his role as reserve driver has been vital for the team over the past two years," said Wolff.

"From his work in the simulator, testing of various cars, and being part of the trackside team, we couldn't 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."

It is unknown where Schumacher will race in 2025, but he may be one of many drivers with F1 experience in contention for a Cadillac drive when the team enters the championship in 2026.

In this article
Jake Boxall-Legge
Formula 1
Mick Schumacher
Mercedes
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