Mick Schumacher is destine for a 2023 Formula 1 season in a Mercedes reserve role, but the German revealed there has been interest in his services over winter.
After losing his seat at Haas at the end of the 2022 F1 season, and with his career in top flight apparently on the rocks, Mick Schumacher was thrown a lifeline in the form of a reserve role at Mercedes, the team his father Michael helped build between 2010 and 2012.
However, Schumacher is still planning a return to a full-time racing seat in 2024, but admits that will not be a straightforward affair.
Asked about his chances in 2024 during the launch of Mercedes’ 2023 car, the W14, Schumacher said: “Well, there’s obviously no guarantee [that I 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.
“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,” the former Haas driver revealed.
Schumacher will be in a reserve role only in 2023, deputizing for Mercedes regulars Lewis Hamilton and George Russell should the need for that arise, but he plans to remain as ready and fit as possible.
The plan is to remain sharp and ready
“[I’ll] still probably take a very similar approach,” he declared. “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,” Schumacher maintained.
As for his reserve role, and how he can contribute in Mercedes’ on-track efforts in 2023, Schumacher insists he has the experience and capability to add value.
Asked how, he explained: “Firstly, I do have the experience of driving last year’s car, which is the new generation. That means the approaches that I will have in the simulator will be very similar to the ones the racing drivers will have on track.
“In terms of that direct comparison, I will be able to talk about time models, talk about how the car behaves or should behave and therefore will be able to change and adapt the simulator pretty quickly.
“Hopefully with that in mind, we’ll be able to give the team reliable feedback, but also a set of options that will work in the track,” the 23-year-old concluded.
First seat fit in Brackley ❤️ Behind the scenes with @SchumacherMick as his 2023 prep begins ? pic.twitter.com/Q8NuR7TDQq
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) February 4, 2023