Mercedes has announced that Mick Schumacher has decided to exit his position as the Formula 1 team’s reserve driver, with Valtteri Bottas expected to replace him.
Schumacher has served in the role at Mercedes – the team his father, Michael, completed his F1 career with – since losing his race drive with Haas at the end of 2022.
The German combined his duties supporting Mercedes at races and tests with a seat in the World Endurance Championship with Alpine across the current campaign.
Having missed out on landing his desired return to the F1 grid for 2025, Schumacher has taken the decision to depart his role at Mercedes to pursue his racing career.
“I am grateful to Toto [Wolff] and the entire Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team for the insight I have gained over these two years,” Schumacher 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.”
Schumacher out, Bottas in?
Bottas, who won 10 races with Mercedes between 2017 and 2021, is poised to take Schumacher’s spot at the German marque having lost his current seat at Sauber.
Mercedes boss Wolff added: “Mick’s hard work, diligence, and determination in his role as Reserve Driver has been vital for the team over the past two years.
“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.”
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