Opinions differ when it comes to whether Mick Schumacher’s Formula 1 career is over before the Haas-Aus has even really started, or whether he still gets the chance for a new regular cockpit.
While ex-Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is already writing off the Germans, Norbert Haug believes that Schumacher has many doors open as a Mercedes reservist.
Esteban Ocon proved that there is a way back after a year on the sidelines. He was close to a move to Renault, who then dropped him in favor of Daniel Ricciardo. So he remained without a cockpit in 2019.
Formula 1: is Schumacher going the “Ocon way”?
As a Mercedes junior, Ocon then took on the role of test and reserve driver in the German automaker’s Formula 1 team. The move to Renault finally came a year later than planned. He is entering his fourth season with the French racing team, which now operates under the name Alpine.
Asked about Schumacher’s situation and prospects, Ocon says: “We spoke about it. He has the rare opportunity – an opportunity that I also had – to work with a team that has dominated the sport for so long and has a tremendous amount of knowledge . And that’s not negligible.”
“It’s a big advantage when you come back as a full-time driver,” explains the Frenchman, “because you’ve seen how a team like this works. You know the answers and information that you can bring to your future team.”
Ocon sees Mercedes as an opportunity for Schumacher
Schumacher could also benefit from this. “So I hope Mick finds a solution very soon and I have no doubt that teams will be interested in him.”
Ocon does not see the year as a reservist at Mercedes, in which Schumacher will also spend a lot of time in the simulator to help develop the car, as an emergency solution, but as a real opportunity for the German. “It definitely is,” he says.
“Of course I can only speak from my experience driving in 2019 (for Mercedes; editor’s note). But you can say that he’s already developing the car for the next two years and I mean that’s it priceless when you work for a team of that capacity and he’s well aware of that.”