Mick Schumacher is leaving the Mercedes Method 1 staff to “pursue new alternatives,” in keeping with an announcement launched by the staff 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 staff. 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 staff of Schumacher, Nicolas Lapierre, and Matthieu Vaxivière completed third in Japan.
Mercedes Group Principal Toto Wolff praised the younger driver’s “onerous work, diligence, and dedication” in his function as a reserve for the staff.
“Mick’s onerous work, diligence, and dedication in his function as Reserve Driver has been very important for the staff over the previous two years,” mentioned Wolff in a press release. “From his work within the simulator, testing of assorted vehicles, and being a part of the trackside staff, we couldn’t have requested for any extra from him. From day one, he fitted into the staff with ease and has develop into an extremely well-liked colleague for everybody at Brackley and Brixworth.”
Wolff additionally famous that Schumacher is “before everything a racing driver,” and “deserves to be competing” within the highest ranges of motorsport.
“Nonetheless, Mick is before everything a racing driver. We now 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 wish to thank Mick personally for his contribution to our staff 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 “robust” the previous two seasons.
“I’m grateful to Toto and the complete Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Group 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 acquired 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. Finally, it’s racing that you simply wish 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 may very well be within the combine for a seat on the new Normal Motors-Cadillac staff. On Monday F1 introduced that an eleventh staff — the brand new GM-Cadillac operation — can 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 carry each F1 expertise, and a legendary identify, to that staff.
Schumacher may be focusing his consideration on his function at Alpine within the WEC. As well as, reviews over the summer season indicated that the driving force had a minimum of engaged in preliminary talks with Dale Coyne’s IndyCar staff.
However with a brand new staff becoming a member of the F1 grid, and Schumacher dedicated to the “sporting facet of motorsport,” this may very well be the subsequent greatest alternative for him to return to the F1 grid.
