Mick Schumacher ‘not too worried’ about F1 future as there’s already been ‘interest’ in his services

Mick Schumacher also thinks he's shown enough in F1 and the junior categories to have some 'opportunities' for an F1 return.

Mick Schumacher ‘not too worried’ about F1 future as there’s already been ‘interest’ in his services

Mick Schumacher

As you most likely know, Mick Schumacher will be spending 2023 as a reserve driver for Mercedes. But he’ll also serve in the same capacity for McLaren, which has technically doubled the chance of him driving in the upcoming season. If any of the four drivers are unavailable, he’ll be first in line to step up in their place. Nyck de Vries had a similar role – his association with Mercedes meant he got time with their customer teams and even replaced Alex Albon in Monza.

The Dutchman was then chosen as the replacement for Pierre Gasly, who went to Alpine. Schumacher may get a similar opportunity this season – though there’s no guarantee. It’s possible that neither of the four drivers will ever need to be replaced, for one reason or another. This definitely would not be ideal, but he’ll not be looking to other categories to compensate for ‘lost’ racing time. As he’s previously asserted, his full focus will be on Formula 1.

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He’s already a proven F1 driver, and any potential outing in a Mercedes car will boost the chances of a return to the grid for him. Especially as the Silver Arrows are likely to be towards the front of the grid – which will definitely be a new experience for him. Schumacher knows there’s no guarantee he will return, but divulged that there has been interest in his services. Speaking at the media session following the launch of the W14, Mercedes’ 2023 F1 challenger, as per Formula1.com, he said:

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“Well, there’s obviously no guarantee [that I can return to the grid in 2024], but I’m in a comfortable position where I feel I can learn, [and] I can extract the maximum from this year even though I’m not driving.” and added: “But with the results I’ve shown in the junior categories, but also in F1, I’m sure there will be opportunities. Over the winter a few people have already mentioned that there is interest, so in that sense I’m not too worried.”

Read More: Ralf Schumacher: Mick a ‘great’ asset to Mercedes and McLaren

Mick Schumacher will go into every weekend as if he’s going to be racing

Mick Schumacher will be Mercedes' reserve driver in 2023
Mick Schumacher

Mick Schumacher’s situation is different from Daniel Ricciardo, who also lost his seat after the 2022 season. While Ricciardo is on a ‘sabbatical’, meaning he will only be in the paddock (with Red Bull) on a handful of race weekends, Schumacher had earlier stated that he was ‘99% sure’ he will attend every race weekend. This means the mindset (and intensity) will be different – the young German will be coming in every weekend as if he’s going to be racing.

He said: “[I’ll] still probably take a very similar approach. I will be going into the weekend thinking as if I was going to race, to keep myself sharp. But also, because it is a very different year, I will try and see what I can learn from it, take away from this experience, and be as much of a help to the team as I can be. Partly because I have the experience of driving, but also, I have the mentality that I know how it is to approach a weekend. I will for sure keep the same approach and keep the excitement at a high.”

It’ll be interesting to see if any teams snatch up Schumacher following the end of the 2023 season. He’s still young, and could possibly boost his chances with a good outing in a Mercedes (or a McLaren). It’s possible a driver could drop the ball in 2023, and he’s called on to replace the said driver. Everything’s possible, but there’s no surety.

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