Mick Schumacher has joined Mercedes as its reserve driver for the 2023 Formula 1 season.
The team announced his appointment after Ferrari confirmed his departure after four years with the team.
The 23-year-old made his debut as a Formula 1 driver with Haas last year but was dropped after two seasons at the team. He was also Ferrari’s reserve driver at selected races this year.
In his new role at Mercedes, Schumacher will attend all F1 races and contribute to the development of the team’s W14 chassis through simulator work.
Schumacher said he is making a “new start” at the team. “F1 is such a fascinating world, and you never stop learning, so I look forward to absorbing more knowledge and putting in all my efforts for the benefit of the Mercedes team.”
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff described Schumacher as “a talented young driver and we’re delighted to have him join the team.
“He is a hard worker, has a calm and methodical approach and is still hungry to learn and improve as a driver. These are all important qualities, and we’re excited for him to help us develop the W14.”
Schumacher’s two seasons of racing in F1 will make him a suitable substitute for Lewis Hamilton or George Russell if needed, Wolff added. “We also know that with two years of experience racing in Formula 1 under his belt, he will be ready to step into the car at short notice to replace either Lewis or George, should that need arise.”
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Schumacher’s appointment to the Ferrari Driver Academy in January 2019 prompted considerable interest as he followed in the footsteps of his father who won five titles with the team between 2000 and 2004. The elder Schumacher was part of Mercedes’ young driver programme in sports car racing before making his F1 debut, and returned to the manufacturer to drive for their F1 team between 2010 and 2012.
Ferrari appointed the younger Schumacher to their driver academy following his victory in the 2016 FIA Formula 3 European championship. After winning the Formula 2 title at his second attempt in 2020, Schumacher graduated to F1 with Haas.
His first season was largely wasted in a slow and underdeveloped car alongside fellow rookie Nikita Mazepin. But when Haas produced a more competitive machine this year, Schumacher did not capitalise on it as successfully has his experienced new team mate.
Kevin Magnussen out-scored Schumacher by 25 points to 12 this year. Schumacher also suffered heavy crashes at Jeddah and Monaco as well as a sizeable shunt at the end of practice in Suzuka.
Ferrari announced today they and Schumacher “mutually decided not to extend their collaboration” beyond this year.
“Scuderia Ferrari thanks Mick for these four years and the many kilometres covered together, and wishes him all the best for the future.”
Despite never driving a Ferrari in an official F1 session, Schumacher tested for them on several occasions during his four-year stint in their driver academy. He also drove some of his father’s F1 Ferraris, including the F2004 during Formula 1’s sole visit to Mugello in 2020.
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