Mick Schumacher is leaving the Mercedes Method 1 crew to “pursue new alternatives,” in accordance with an announcement launched by the crew 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 crew. 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 crew of Schumacher, Nicolas Lapierre, and Matthieu Vaxivière completed third in Japan.
Mercedes Staff Principal Toto Wolff praised the younger driver’s “exhausting work, diligence, and willpower” in his function as a reserve for the crew.
“Mick’s exhausting work, diligence, and willpower in his function as Reserve Driver has been very important for the crew over the previous two years,” mentioned Wolff in a press release. “From his work within the simulator, testing of assorted automobiles, and being a part of the trackside crew, we couldn’t have requested for any extra from him. From day one, he fitted into the crew with ease and has grow to be an extremely well-liked colleague for everybody at Brackley and Brixworth.”
Wolff additionally famous that Schumacher is “at the start a racing driver,” and “deserves to be competing” within the highest ranges of motorsport.
“Nonetheless, Mick is at the start a racing driver. We have now seen from each his time in F1, and this 12 months 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 crew and all of us want him the easiest 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 your complete Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Staff 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 automobiles 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. Finally, it’s racing that you just wish to do as a driver, it’s racing that offers you that feeling you’re keen on.”
As for the place he may land, there may be rising hypothesis that Schumacher might be within the combine for a seat on the new Basic Motors-Cadillac crew. On Monday F1 introduced that an eleventh crew — 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 identify, to that crew.
Schumacher may be focusing his consideration on his function at Alpine within the WEC. As well as, studies over the summer time indicated that the motive force had no less than engaged in preliminary talks with Dale Coyne’s IndyCar crew.
However with a brand new crew becoming a member of the F1 grid, and Schumacher dedicated to the “sporting facet of motorsport,” this might be the following finest alternative for him to return to the F1 grid.