Mick Schumacher is leaving the Mercedes System 1 group to “pursue new alternatives,” in response to an announcement launched by the group forward of the Qatar Grand Prix.
Schumacher spent two years in that position, after being launched by Haas after spending two years as a full-time driver for the group. Schumacher added one other position 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 group of Schumacher, Nicolas Lapierre, and Matthieu Vaxivière completed third in Japan.
Mercedes Workforce Principal Toto Wolff praised the younger driver’s “laborious work, diligence, and dedication” in his position as a reserve for the group.
“Mick’s laborious work, diligence, and dedication in his position as Reserve Driver has been very important for the group over the previous two years,” stated Wolff in a press release. “From his work within the simulator, testing of assorted vehicles, and being a part of the trackside group, we couldn’t have requested for any extra from him. From day one, he fitted into the group with ease and has change into 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.
“Nevertheless, Mick is at first a racing driver. Now we have seen from each his time in F1, and this yr together 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 want to thank Mick personally for his contribution to our group and all of us want him the perfect in his future endeavours.”
The motive 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 the complete Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Workforce 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 received to know the engineering facet higher. However watching these vehicles race and never sitting within the cockpit myself is hard,” added Schumacher. “I wish to get again to focusing 100% on racing. I wish to be totally dedicated to the sporting facet of motorsport. In the end, it’s racing that you just wish to do as a driver, it’s racing that provides you that feeling you like.”
As for the place he may land, there’s rising hypothesis that Schumacher may very well be within the combine for a seat on the new Normal Motors-Cadillac group. On Monday F1 introduced that an eleventh group — the brand new GM-Cadillac operation — could be added to the F1 grid for the 2026 season. Many drivers may very well 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 title, to that group.
Schumacher may be focusing his consideration on his position 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 group.
However with a brand new group becoming a member of the F1 grid, and Schumacher dedicated to the “sporting facet of motorsport,” this may very well be the following greatest alternative for him to return to the F1 grid.
