Formula 1: “So unfavorable”: Mick Schumacher’s patience

formula 1
“So unfavorable”: Mick Schumacher’s patience test

With his debut laps in the new Silver Arrow, Mick Schumacher has boosted its share price on the Formula 1 rumor exchange to new heights.

The fact that he was allowed to test drive the Mercedes over a track for the first time before the Canadian Grand Prix also strengthened the 24-year-old’s hunger for more than a permanent role as a noble reservist. “I had a great time and I hope to get back in the car at some point,” said Schumacher. After his tire test in Barcelona, ​​speculation flourished again about future employers where he could become a regular driver again.

Before the guest appearance in Montreal at the weekend, where Schumacher will again only be a substitute, the media reported on Williams and future Audi partner Sauber as possible interested parties. At Williams, US boy Logan Sargeant does not get going. At Sauber, currently still on the road as Alfa Romeo, a German driver could have good chances thanks to the Audi entry. But it’s not all really solid.

“In 2025 a few doors will open again”

“It’s a difficult situation because the cockpits are assigned to us and I would wish for Mick to get a seat, he would have deserved it,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff recently on Sky. And painted Schumacher’s short-term prospects in rather darker colors. “The situation in 2024 is so unfavorable, in 2025 a few doors will open again,” said Wolff.

Two years as a marginal figure, as an observer in the garage and man for the hard work in the simulator – that would be a tough apprenticeship for the son of record world champion Michael Schumacher. After his two seasons as a regular at Haas, the US team had not extended its contract, the test driver job at Mercedes was still the best alternative. But before Schumacher was actually allowed to drive the car with the registration number W14 for the first time, it took almost half a year.

“It was great. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun,” enthused Schumacher after the 152 laps of the test for tire manufacturer Pirelli. “This experience will definitely help me in my role. I now understand better what to look out for and what to work on,” said Schumacher. The fact that he was only slightly slower than regular driver George Russell in Barcelona was noticed attentively in the industry.

Hamilton praises Mick Schumacher

“Mick has already become a valuable member of the team and his work in the simulator has proven useful to improve our lap times,” boss Wolff praised his protégé before the eighth round of the season on Sunday (8 p.m. / Sky) in Montreal. In addition to the conversion of the car, Schumacher also played his part in the recent upswing of the team, which has been struggling since last year.

Schumacher “did a great job” that helped the team “get on the right track,” said seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. “Mick helps decide in which direction the car is developed and his feedback is extremely important for the team,” explained uncle Ralf Schumacher in his Sky column.

Waiting could become a test of patience

The recent praise from Mercedes and the good performance in the Barcelona test are not unimportant for Schumacher’s reputation before the start of the summer change season. The mediocre time at Haas and the sometimes caustic criticism from team boss Günther Steiner weighed on his image. Alpha Tauri team boss Franz Tost let it be known via the specialist portal “motorsport-total.com” that Schumacher is “much better than he is currently perceived by the outside world”.

Despite the Tost recommendation, Schumacher cannot hope for a chance at Alpha Tauri instead of the previously unconvincing Nyck de Vries. “He’s a Mercedes driver and he’s not in our plans,” said motorsport consultant Helmut Marko from Alpha Tauri owner Red Bull. Waiting for a new Formula 1 opportunity could become a longer ordeal for Mick Schumacher.

dpa