Mick Schumacher is leaving the Mercedes Method 1 workforce to “pursue new alternatives,” in keeping with an announcement launched by the workforce forward of the Qatar Grand Prix.
Schumacher spent two years in that function, after being launched by Haas after spending two years as a full-time driver for the workforce. Schumacher added one other function to his driving resume this season, competing for Alpine within the World Endurance Championship. He helped Alpine safe their first podium within the collection again in September, when the workforce of Schumacher, Nicolas Lapierre, and Matthieu Vaxivière completed third in Japan.
Mercedes Staff Principal Toto Wolff praised the younger driver’s “laborious work, diligence, and dedication” in his function as a reserve for the workforce.
“Mick’s laborious work, diligence, and dedication in his function as Reserve Driver has been very important for the workforce over the previous two years,” stated Wolff in a press release. “From his work within the simulator, testing of varied automobiles, and being a part of the trackside workforce, we couldn’t have requested for any extra from him. From day one, he fitted into the workforce with ease and has grow to be an extremely well-liked colleague for everybody at Brackley and Brixworth.”
Wolff additionally famous that Schumacher is “at first a racing driver,” and “deserves to be competing” within the highest ranges of motorsport.
“Nonetheless, Mick is at first a racing driver. We have now seen from each his time in F1, and this yr along with his performances within the World Endurance Championship, that he’s a racer of an extremely excessive calibre and one which deserves to be competing in the perfect championships,” added Wolff. “As he strikes on to his subsequent problem, I wish to thank Mick personally for his contribution to our workforce and all of us want him the perfect in his future endeavours.”
The driving force expressed his gratitude for the time with Mercedes, however admitted that watching from the sidelines was “powerful” the previous two seasons.
“I’m grateful to Toto and your entire Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Staff for the perception I’ve gained over these two years. They’ve undoubtedly made me a extra skilled racing driver as a result of I’ve obtained to know the engineering facet higher. However watching these automobiles race and never sitting within the cockpit myself is hard,” added Schumacher. “I need to get again to focusing 100% on racing. I need to be totally dedicated to the sporting facet of motorsport. In the end, it’s racing that you just need to do as a driver, it’s racing that offers you that feeling you like.”
As for the place he would possibly land, there’s rising hypothesis that Schumacher might be within the combine for a seat on the new Normal Motors-Cadillac workforce. On Monday F1 introduced that an eleventh workforce — the brand new GM-Cadillac operation — can be added to the F1 grid for the 2026 season. Many drivers might be linked to that transfer, together with Colton Herta who drives for Andretti in IndyCar, however Schumacher would deliver each F1 expertise, and a legendary identify, to that workforce.
Schumacher is also focusing his consideration on his function at Alpine within the WEC. As well as, reviews over the summer time indicated that the driving force had at the least engaged in preliminary talks with Dale Coyne’s IndyCar workforce.
However with a brand new workforce becoming a member of the F1 grid, and Schumacher dedicated to the “sporting facet of motorsport,” this might be the subsequent finest alternative for him to return to the F1 grid.
