Mick Schumacher: Mercedes moves a “win-win situation”, says his uncle Ralf as ex-Haas driver gets new F1 chance
Mick Schumacher: Mercedes moves a “win-win situation”, says his uncle Ralf as ex-Haas driver gets new F1 chance
#Mick #Schumacher #Mercedes #moves #winwin #situation #uncle #Ralf #exHaas #driver #chance Welcome to InNewCL, here is the new story we have for you today:
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Mick Schumacher will represent Lewis Hamilton and George Russell next year after losing his Haas seat and ties to Ferrari; InNewCL Sports in Germany expert Ralf Schumacher, Mick’s uncle, who has driven in 180 races, comments on the move
Last updated: 12/20/22 12:01 PM
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Mick Schumacher speaks after joining Mercedes as a backup driver for 2023 after losing his seat at Haas
Mick Schumacher speaks after joining Mercedes as a backup driver for 2023 after losing his seat at Haas
Mick Schumacher’s move to Mercedes is a “win-win for both parties,” according to Ralf Schumacher, who believes his nephew can improve his reputation in Formula 1 while serving as a backup for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in 2023.
Schumacher, who lost his Haas seat after two years on the grid as well as his ties to Ferrari, was signed by Mercedes as a reserve driver last week, reuniting two of motorsport’s biggest names.
Mick’s father Michael, the seven-time world champion, drove for Mercedes at the end of his career (2010-12).
The 24-year-old’s uncle Ralf, himself a famous and successful F1 Schumacher, has praised the deal which will see Mick replace Nyck de Vries.
“I think it’s a win-win situation for both sides,” said Ralf Schumacher, who has contested 180 F1 races, on InNewCL Sports in Germany.
Ralf Schumacher (left) with his nephew Mick
“For one, they have a great driver for the team if they need a last minute replacement if one of the drivers isn’t able to drive for whatever reason.
“And the next thing, of course, is that he’s now in the team where he can learn a lot, especially with a new structure, a big structure.”
Ralf had previously criticized how Haas handled his nephew’s departure. The behavior is “not normal” and team boss Günther Steiner is a “self-promoter” who “can’t deal with the fact that someone else is the focus”. “.
“It’s a great opportunity for me,” he added of Mick’s move to Mercedes. “Because he now has an experienced team, with two experienced teammates, and above all, for a change, a team that is happy that he is there.”
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Nico Hulkenberg says he is fresh and hungry as he prepares to return to F1 full-time for the first time since 2019 after replacing Mick Schumacher at Haas for the 2023 season
Nico Hulkenberg says he is fresh and hungry as he prepares to return to F1 full-time for the first time since 2019 after replacing Mick Schumacher at Haas for the 2023 season
What will Schumacher’s role be in 2023 and what’s next?
Mick Schumacher will take an active role in Mercedes’ pre-season development of their W14 car next year, while – present at race weekends – he may get a chance to test and drive it.
Ralf believes he could be valuable not only for Mercedes, but also for Aston Martin and Mercedes-powered Williams.
“I think that’s also the power that Mick can have to get in there and step on the gas.
“Don’t just think about Mercedes though, there’s nothing wrong with that, but at some point there could be a problem for Mercedes-run teams and then they could turn to someone fresh off the season who knows all the circuits and knows all the handling with the cars.”
Speaking of Schumacher’s future, Ralf was considering Audi – who will compete in F1 as a works team from 2025 – as an option.
“He has the opportunity to develop further,” he said. “He deserves a chance and is part of it – actually driving a car – but at least as a substitute for test drivers and as a third driver.
“I think that’s a great thing, but I could also imagine that Audi [could be interested] because there are actually no German drivers on the market.
“But from this point of view there is still a long way to go. I think where it is now it is in perfect hands and the rest will tell. The nice thing is that I think by the time he’s 24, he’ll have a big chance again.” It doesn’t matter where.”
Wolff: Mick a victim of the ‘brutal’ F1
Mick Schumacher signs his Mercedes contract with team boss Toto Wolff
Before announcing the deal, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff spoke to Mick’s character and felt he had been the victim of a ‘brutal’ sport.
“I really like Mick and I like the family – how they raised their kids with that incredibly famous name – and I think he deserves a chance,” Wolff said on F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast. “He won the junior series and it’s not easy.
“It can go against you in the early years in Formula 1. He was under pressure to perform and that doesn’t help and F1 is brutal.
“So maybe in a way a year off as the third driver – similar to Daniel [Ricciardo is doing at Red Bull] – can be good to reassess yourself and put yourself in a better place and then hopefully find a place again.
“He always impressed me with his personality.”
