Mick Schumacher arrived in Formula 1 on tiptoe, with an important surname and expectations to precede his every step, accompanying him above all in the false ones. His was a very short descending parable, which fell into a dive after the numerous accidents involving him in 2022. The chapter in Haas, the only reality that was able to experience in Formula 1, started in the worst way. Without a partner, without a car, Mick had to face everything alone, forced to fight for the penultimate position against a single opponent.
In 2022 its growth path, although slow compared to that of other young drivers, brought him to the first championship points. Everything seemed to portend a contract renewal, despite the many damages caused, especially at the beginning of the season. However, Haas did not want to give him further confidence, and not having the aim of growing inexperienced riders by hitting the wall, decided to replace him with an experienced rider Nico Hulkenberg. Mick is still very young, and the chances of returning to the top category are still quite concrete. But which team would be willing to grow him?
Mercedes very close to Mick
Everyone, when they saw the Schumacher surname again in F1, immediately saw a single destination in the future of the young Mick: Ferrari. Mick, despite being a good driver, has never been fully convinced of his abilities, even after a few flashes. Relations with Ferrari tragically ended with the end of the relationship between the German and the FDA. Which also freed Haas from the conventional choice of allocating a seat to a driver from the Ferrari nursery. Mick said goodbye to Formula 1 with the Abu Dhabi GP, together with his "mentor", Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, fresh from his contract as third driver in Red Bull, and Nicholas Latifi. Despite this we could see him return to F1 very soon, following in his father's footsteps.
According to Toto Wolff, Mercedes Team Principal, Mick would have the right profile to fill the role of third driver. Role currently uncovered since the silver arrows have sold both De Vries and Vandoorne. The surname Schumacher is well known to the team which also welcomed the father, Michael for 3 seasons, from 2010 to 2012 in F1. The final choice would be up to the German since Wolff has spoken openly about the possibility of welcoming him. Furthermore, during the season the Austrian team principal also defended Mick in some statements for the treatment reserved for him in Haas. A role as owner should be evaluated in the long term considering that Lewis Hamilton is still not talking about retiring and Russell, in his debut season with Mercedes, has confirmed himself with excellent performances.
"Mick is someone who is close to our heart for Michael or the entire Schumacher family - said Wolff on the occasion of the Abu Dhabi GP. “Ralf has raced for us for a long time in the DTM, his son races for Mercedes in the GT. He is an intelligent boy with good manners and has been very successful in the junior categories. We believe we can take care of him should the situation materialize, with someone who fits the team, but we haven't written anything yet, we're not even close to any condition. I say it openly because I think he's a good fit and we need to accomplish this thing: if he wants it, if Sabine wants itthen we'll see where it takes us."
Mick needs to evaluate quickly. Ferrari has no seats available, much less guarantees to offer since everything is in flux. The offer from Mercedes would seem the most concrete but would determine the definitive end with Ferrari, with which he will have to discuss his future as soon as possible.
Source statements: autosprint
