Mick Schumacher, the son of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher, is set to exit F1 at the end of the 2024 season. Mick Schumacher will now be racing full-time for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship (WEC).
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Mick Schumacher, the racing driver and the son of legendary Michael Schumacher, is leaving Formula 1. The 25-year-old, who is currently employed as the reserve driver at Mercedes will leave his position at the end of the ongoing 2024 season, following two years with Lewis Hamilton’s side, it was announced on Thursday. Mick joined Mercedes in 2023 and has been performing the simulator work for Mercedes while also being their reserve driver, but hasn’t managed to get back on track.
Mick was on the grid in the 2021 and 2022 seasons when he drove for Haas in 44 races collecting 12 points overall without any poles or podium finishes. He also competed for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2024 while being at Mercedes. He is set to continue taking part in WEC for Alpine next year.
Mick’s work at Mercedes was recognized by racing team head Toto Wolff who praised the youngster’s contribution and underlined how he must continue to pursue his racing ambitions.
“Mick’s hard work, diligence, and determination in his role as Reserve Driver has been vital for the team over the past two years,” Wolff said. “From his work in the simulator, testing of various cars, and being part of the trackside team, we couldn’t have asked for any more from him. From day one, he fitted into the team with ease and has become an incredibly well-liked colleague for everyone at Brackley and Brixworth.”
“However, Mick is first and foremost a racing driver. We have seen from both his time in F1, and this year with his performances in the World Endurance Championship, that he is a racer of an incredibly high calibre and one that deserves to be competing in the very best championships.
“As he moves on to his next challenge, I would like to thank Mick personally for his contribution to our team and we all wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”
Mick Schumacher reveals why he is leaving Mercedes
Mick Schumacher shared that he wants to drive full-time which is why he has decided to leave Mercedes.
“I am grateful to Toto and the entire Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team for the insight I have gained over these two years,” he said. “They have undoubtedly made me a more experienced racing driver because I have got to know the engineering side better.
“But watching these cars race and not sitting in the cockpit myself is tough. I want to get back to focusing 100% on racing. I want to be fully committed to the sporting side of motorsport.
“Ultimately, it is racing that you want to do as a driver, it is racing that gives you that feeling you love.”
Former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas, who now races for Sauber, is tipped to replace Mick at Mercedes.
Meanwhile, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has already won the F1 driver’s title in the 2024 season with two more races to go. The
Constructor Championship is, however, still to be decided with two more races to go. Currently, McLaren Mercedes lead the standings with 608 points followed by Ferrari (584) and Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT (555).