The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team announced on November 28, 2024 that reserve driver Mick Schumacher will leave the team at the end of the 2024 season to “pursue new opportunities”.
Regarding the reason for his withdrawal, the 25-year-old German driver explained, “It’s difficult not being able to sit in the cockpit and watch the races. .I want to dedicate myself completely to the competitive side of motorsport.”
“At the end of the day, as a driver, racing is what I want more than anything. Racing is what satisfies my soul.”
“I would like to thank Toto (Wolff) and the whole team for the insight they have given me over the last two years. This experience has definitely made me a more experienced racing driver .I have gained a deep understanding of the engineering side of things. “Because I was able to do it,” he said, thanking the team.
Courtesy of Pirelli & CSpA
Mick Schumacher drives a Mercedes W14 during the 2024 Pirelli tire development test held at the Circuit de Catalunya on June 7, 2023 after the F1 Spanish Grand Prix
Team Principal and CEO Toto Wolff said: “Mick’s hard work and commitment as a reserve driver over the past two years has been invaluable to the team.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything more from the way he worked in the simulator, testing different cars and as part of the trackside team he fit in with the team from first day and was a great addition to the team at Brackley and Brixworth.
“But Mick is a top racing driver. Judging by his success in F1 and his performance in this year’s WEC, he is a very capable driver and deserves to compete in a prestigious competition It is clear.
“I would like to express my sincere thanks to him as he takes on his next challenge, and wish him success in his future endeavours.”
A successor has not been named, but Valtteri Bottas, who will lose his Sauber seat at the end of this season, is thought to be a candidate. On the other hand, it is possible that Bottas could join Cadillac, which will make a new entry to F1 in 2026. However, the same can be said for Schumacher.
Schumacher joined the British team at Brackley in 2023 after being fired from the Haas F1 Team and has been a reserve and test driver for the past two years. In addition to simulator work, he has provided feedback through various tests.
In addition, this season he participated in the FIA World Endurance Championship(WEC) with Alpine, taking the team’s first podium with a 3rd place finish in the last 7 rounds held at Fuji Speedway. Schumacher will continue racing in the WEC with Alpine in 2025.
2024-11-28 12:44:00
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