Mick Schumacher is leaving the Mercedes Method 1 workforce to “pursue new alternatives,” in response to an announcement launched by the workforce 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 workforce. 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 workforce of Schumacher, Nicolas Lapierre, and Matthieu Vaxivière completed third in Japan.
Mercedes Crew Principal Toto Wolff praised the younger driver’s “laborious work, diligence, and dedication” in his position as a reserve for the workforce.
“Mick’s laborious work, diligence, and dedication in his position as Reserve Driver has been important for the workforce over the previous two years,” mentioned Wolff in an announcement. “From his work within the simulator, testing of assorted vehicles, 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 turn out to be an extremely well-liked colleague for everybody at Brackley and Brixworth.”
Wolff additionally famous that Schumacher is “in the beginning a racing driver,” and “deserves to be competing” within the highest ranges of motorsport.
“Nevertheless, Mick is in the beginning a racing driver. We’ve 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 easiest 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 easiest 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 the whole Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Crew 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 bought 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 absolutely dedicated to the sporting facet of motorsport. In the end, it’s racing that you simply 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 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 carry each F1 expertise, and a legendary title, to that workforce.
Schumacher is also focusing his consideration on his position at Alpine within the WEC. As well as, studies over the summer time indicated that the motive 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 following greatest alternative for him to return to the F1 grid.
