Ralf Schumacher considers his nephew Mick’s move to the Mercedes Formula 1 team as a replacement driver to be a “great opportunity”. Mick Schumacher can “look over the shoulder of a top team at work and learn a lot. And he’s not just a development driver, where he can certainly help Mercedes in the simulator when it returns to the top; as a reserve pilot, he has to replace a regular driver if he fails,” said Ralf Schumacher on “Sport1”.
“We have had this situation more often in the last three years. Although Lewis Hamilton is still an absolute top driver, he is no longer the youngest. Since the ravages of time gnaws. So you never know. I think it’s a win-win situation for the team and Mick,” said the 47-year-old.
Mick Schumacher had to vacate his regular cockpit at the US team Haas after two years. Nico Hülkenberg replaces him. “Mick has done a good job in his two years. But we had to carry him a little – and we need someone to carry us,” said Haas team boss Günther Steiner, explaining the separation from Schumacher and thus subtly criticizing the son of Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher.
At Mercedes, record world champions Lewis Hamilton and George Russell are the regulars. “Of course, another season with a fixed cockpit would have been better in principle, because driving is still the best thing for further development. On the other hand: Haas didn’t have the necessary support, it would have been difficult for him,” said Ralf Schumacher about his nephew.
The 23-year-old may have chances of a permanent racing seat again in 2024. “Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has already said that Mick, with his skills, belongs in a regular cockpit. I think there could be interesting opportunities in 2024. Mercedes not only has its own team, but also partner teams that you can influence,” said Ralf Schumacher. Mercedes supplies McLaren, Aston Martin and Williams with drives.
