Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One announced on Thursday that Mick Schumacher has joined the team as a reserve driver for the 2023 season. The young driver, 23, is the son of seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher and steps into a role that blends development work with marketing commitments across the year.
Schumacher will maintain a busy schedule with the W14 in simulation data work while being present with the team at every Grand Prix. The arrangement emphasizes both his long-term potential and the logistical needs of Mercedes during a demanding season.
In the past two seasons Schumacher competed with Haas, taking part in 43 races. He scored his first points credit this year with an eighth-place finish at the British Grand Prix and followed it with a sixth in Austria, marking his best result to date.
Before stepping into Formula One, Schumacher built a strong reputation in junior categories. He won the European Formula 3 championship in 2018 and then secured the Formula 2 title in his 2020 season, a year highlighted by two race wins and eight podium finishes.
The move to Mercedes adds another chapter to a family legacy that began with his father racing in F1 in 1991 and returning to the sport alongside teammates in 2010 and 2012. The new role for 2023 is framed as a fresh start within a highly professional environment, offering Schumacher the chance to contribute to the W14 while continuing to learn and develop as a driver.
Schumacher expressed enthusiasm about joining Mercedes as a reserve driver for 2023, underscoring his readiness to dedicate himself to the team’s development and performance. He noted gratitude for the opportunity and highlighted the desire to absorb knowledge from a top-tier operation, acknowledging the demanding yet fascinating nature of Formula One and the ongoing learning curve it presents.
Toto Wolff, the team principal, described Schumacher as a talented young racer who combines hard work with a calm, methodical approach. Wolff also emphasized the importance of Schumacher’s drive to learn and grow, suggesting that his experience in Formula One will be instrumental in helping the W14 evolve throughout the season.
The leadership group at Mercedes added that Schumacher’s combination of two full seasons in Formula One and his proven track record in junior racing would enable him to step into race-ready scenarios if the need arises. The implication is that the reserve driver role is designed to be immediately impactful should a driver like Lewis Hamilton or George Russell require replacement for any session or race, while still allowing Schumacher to remain integrated with the development program and the team’s long-term goals. The arrangement reflects Mercedes’ ongoing strategy to cultivate young talent while sustaining a competitive edge across the grid. [Mercedes press office attribution]