Mick Schumacher has quit his role as Mercedes’ F1 reserve driver.
Schumacher joined Mercedes in late 2022 following his release from Haas at the end of the 2022 season, and has served as reserve driver for the last two seasons.
The German though has now decided to move on from F1 and focus on World Endurance with Alpine next season, after Gabriel Bortoleto pipped him to the second Sauber seat alongside his Haas replacement – Nico Hulkenberg.
Addressing his decision to move on, Schumacher explained that he is “grateful” for the experience and lessons in understanding the engineering side of F1, but felt that not racing was “tough” to endure and now wants to focus on racing again.
“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.”
Mercedes CEO and Team Principal, Toto Wolff praised Schumacher’s “hard work, diligence, and determination…” as “vital” for the team, having conducted simulator work and tested various cars amidst trackside duties.
Wolff however iterated that now is the right time for Schumacher to return his focus fully to racing in top motorsport categories.
“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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