“We have no cockpits”
Mercedes boss sees “difficult situation” for Schumacher
05/27/2023, 11:48 am
Mick Schumacher is currently on hold: After two seasons, the German lost his regular cockpit in Formula 1, as a substitute driver at Mercedes, Schumacher only remains a spectator on the race weekends. A lightning comeback to the race track is not imminent.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has been cautious about Mick Schumacher’s quick return to a regular Formula 1 cockpit. “It’s a difficult situation because the cockpits are taken with us and I would wish for Mick to get a seat, he would have deserved it,” said Wolff on the sidelines of the Monaco Grand Prix the pay TV Channel Sky. “The situation in 2024 is so unfavorable, in 2025 a few doors will open again.”
Mick Schumacher had a contract with the German factory team after being retired from Haas as a replacement driver for the two regular drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. A year ago, the son of record world champion Michael Schumacher had a serious accident on the tight course in the Principality, the car was practically scrap, nothing more happened to him. The crash forced his departure from the Haas team after just two years. There, the 35-year-old compatriot Nico Hülkenberg became his successor.
It had already been speculated that Mick Schumacher could replace the previously disappointing newcomer Nyck de Vries at Alpha Tauri. Red Bull’s motorsport consultant Helmut Marko had emphasized that Mick Schumacher was a Mercedes driver and played no role in their plans.
A change from the 24-year-old German to Williams is more conceivable. The American rookie Logan Sargeant (22) has been struggling there without success so far. In addition, Mercedes is the drive partner of the British team. “You have to wait and see how the pace develops at Williams,” said Wolff: “We have to be careful, because if we support Mick too much, then there are those who want to make it particularly difficult and then they come crawling out of their holes.”