Mick Schumacher will spend this season as a reserve driver for Mercedes, however the German already has his sights set on getting again right into a race seat for 2024.
The 23-year-old joined Mercedes in December after spending two seasons racing for Haas, with the American group opting in opposition to renewing his contract, as an alternative changing him with compatriot Nico Hulkenberg.
TECH ANALYSIS: Mercedes keep on with their weapons on distinctive sidepod design with new W14
Schumacher will now function a 3rd driver behind Lewis Hamilton and George Russell on the group his father, Michael, raced for from 2010 to 2013. Nonetheless, when waiting for a possible return to the grid in 2024, Schumacher expects his achievements in his junior profession and in F1 to talk volumes.
Talking at a media session after Mercedes’ launch of their new W14 automobile, Schumacher mentioned: “Properly, there’s clearly no assure [that I return to the grid in 2024], however I’m in a snug place the place I really feel I can study, [and] I can extract the utmost from this 12 months regardless that I’m not driving.
“However with the outcomes I’ve proven within the junior classes, but in addition in F1, I’m certain there shall be alternatives. Over the winter a couple of individuals have already talked about that there’s curiosity, so in that sense I’m not too fearful.”
Though he received’t be racing in F1 this season, except he has to deputise for Hamilton or Russell, Schumacher is just not planning to vary how he prepares for Grand Prix weekends, or how he conducts himself via the 12 months.
“[I’ll] nonetheless in all probability take a really related method,” he mentioned. “I shall be going into the weekend considering as if I used to be going to race, to maintain myself sharp.
READ MORE: Wolff explains how Mercedes have modified their method with the W14 after ‘powerful lesson’ in 2022
“But additionally, as a result of it’s a very totally different 12 months, I’ll try to see what I can study from it, take away from this expertise, and be as a lot of a assist to the group as I may be.
“Partly as a result of I’ve the expertise of driving, but in addition, I’ve the mentality that I understand how it’s to method a weekend. I’ll for certain preserve the identical method and preserve the thrill at a excessive.”
Mercedes uncover their 2023 automobile and livery
So, what’s going to Schumacher’s tasks at Mercedes seem like this 12 months?
The previous Ferrari Driver Academy member expects his expertise of racing on this new era of automobiles to be put to make use of to assist each Hamilton and Russell out on monitor.
READ MORE: Mercedes clarify alternative of bare carbon for brand new W14 F1 automobile
“Firstly, I do have the expertise of driving final 12 months’s automobile, which is the brand new era,” mentioned Schumacher. “Which means the approaches that I’ll have within the simulator shall be similar to those the racing drivers could have on monitor.
“By way of that direct comparability, I can discuss time fashions, discuss how the automobile behaves or ought to behave and subsequently will be capable of change and adapt the simulator fairly shortly.
“Hopefully with that in thoughts, we’ll be capable of give the group dependable suggestions, but in addition a set of choices that may work within the monitor.”
