Formula 1 teams are already courting Mick Schumacher – "There’s something"

formula 1

43 race starts, he only finished in the points twice: The first years of Formula 1 were sobering for Mick Schumacher. His contract with Haas was not extended for sporting reasons, this year he will be available as a test and reserve driver for Mercedes and McLaren.

Nevertheless, the 23-year-old is still in great demand in Formula 1: On the one hand, because with the German you can open up a market that is currently falling asleep – apparently the 35-year-old Nico Hülkenberg only makes the hearts of German F1 fans beat faster to a limited extent. On the other hand, Schumacher has already impressively demonstrated his motorsport talent in Formula 2 and Formula 3.

Nico Hülkenberg became the second driver at Team Haas after Schumacher was kicked out.Image: imago / north photo

As part of the presentation of the new Mercedes “W14”, Schumacher spoke about his hopes for the 2024 racing year and was confident of having a regular cockpit again next year.

Advertise for Mick Schumacher: Teams catch up on missed opportunities

After all, there are good reasons why every racing team should have him on the list. “With the results that I have shown in the junior categories and also in Formula 1, I am sure that there will be opportunities,” Schumacher said in a media round about his overall victories in Formula 2 (2020) and Formula 3 (2018 ) in remembrance.

But his confidence is not only based on blind hope: “Some people have already expressed an interest over the winter,” reveals Schumacher.

Schumacher would have been an option for many F1 teams for the current season. However, neither Haas boss Günther Steiner had offered him a contract, nor had other bosses of an F1 team. Therefore he had to take the bitter step into the second row.

Günther Steiner was Mick Schumacher’s team boss for two years.Image: www.imago-images.de / Beautiful Sports

Now the racing teams have apparently made up for the wooing of the world champion son in winter. Some were probably so convincing that Schumacher is sure: “There’s something going on.”

However, there have not yet been any concrete negotiations. “When talks will start will become apparent over the next few weeks and months,” explains Schumacher. However, he may hope to have his future settled before November this year.

“Super professional”: Mick Schumacher marvels at Mercedes

Until then, as the third driver at Mercedes, he has to make his contribution to a successful season. As a test driver, he will be regularly challenged in the simulator. “I know exactly how the car has to feel and can help the team with my feedback,” explains Schumacher in an interview with “sky” his new role.

Of course he would also like to start in the new “W14” himself. Either Lewis Hamilton or George Russel would have to fail for this, and through the cooperation with McLaren, Schumacher should also step in if Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri are absent.

But even without starting a race, Schumacher hopes to be able to develop further at Mercedes. “The approach is super professional,” he marvels at his new team. “It’s great to talk to the engineers and the drivers here and just learn from them,” said the 23-year-old, eager for knowledge.

First and foremost, however, the racing driver wants to get back on the track. “I’m already looking forward to the tests in Bahrain,” he reveals, although he will probably only be a spectator at the first race of the season (March 5).