Around the holidays, Formula 1 is also quiet and contemplative. But the new season can already be seen on the horizon, which not only promises a lot of excitement from a German perspective. In his sport.de column, RTL reporter and Formula 1 expert Felix Görner looks ahead to 2023. In focus: the fateful year for Mick Schumacher, the return of Nico Hülkenberg and Lewis Hamilton’s record dream.
For Mick Schumacher, 2023 will be a fateful year. As the third driver at Mercedes, the 23-year-old must use his last chance in Formula 1. He will do a couple of practice sessions on Friday and be there at every race, possibly filling in as a stand-in driver for Williams or Mercedes.
Mick Schumacher has to be ready to deliver immediately if the worst comes to the worst. George Russell went through a similar situation. When the Brit was hoisted up to Mercedes, he immediately showed that he is a world-class driver. That must also be Mick Schumacher’s goal.
The moment Russell or Hamilton can’t drive for whatever reason, he has to be there to say, “Hello, I’m here.” That will be the task.
Mick Schumacher will get the tool in the simulator. Mick will drive more simulators than ever before in his life. He will do all the setup work before every Grand Prix, especially for Lewis Hamilton. Russell drives the simulator regularly, while Hamilton likes it about as much as a toothache and prefers to avoid it.
Last chance for Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton is also under pressure in Formula 1. In 2022, the seven-time premier class champion went without a win for the first time in his career. The coming season is his last chance to surpass Michael Schumacher’s record seven titles.
Felix Görner is an RTL reporter and Formula 1 expert
This is not only due to Hamilton’s age of 37, but also to teammate Russell, who is expanding throughout the team. Russell has permission from team boss Toto Wolff to also become world champion in Formula 1. The challenger beat Hamilton on points and victory in 2022. Means: Russell is the rising star at Mercedes.
But Hamilton still has a lot of fun in Formula 1. He seems to be just as positively crazy as Fernando Alonso. The fear of the big black hole after the end of his career is pronounced at Hamilton. It can be assumed that he will continue to drive for at least two more years, if not longer.
Of course, these are not good prospects for Mick Schumacher. The German will therefore probably not get a regular cockpit. Realistically, Williams is more likely next year or Audi in the medium term.
Andreas Seidl should and must build a World Cup candidate from Sauber by 2026. There could be a place for Mick Schumacher in the medium term if he shows that he can do it. Andreas Seidl will now use the available funds and the new millions from Audi to try to turn Sauber into a really big works team, so that in four years you might be able to fight for victories.
Formula D becomes formula H
In the meantime, the “Formula D” in Germany has become a small “Formula H” like Hülkenberg. No more racing in Germany, no more Vettel and no more Schumacher in the grid – that hasn’t happened for a long time. A spooky notion that we need to get used to, but we also need to draw strength from.
Hülkenberg will beat Kevin Magnussen at Haas, so I’m quite simply committed. Hülkenberg told us that he plans for several years, also in Formula 1. You should take that seriously.
I don’t see that some, like Gerhard Berger, say that having a child always makes you a tenth slower. Despite his daughter, Hulkenberg is not slowing down.
Sebastian Vettel will first go on a big family tour with the mobile home and will then meet Mick Schumacher at the end of January and then represent the German colors together at the Race of Champions in Sweden. So in January we have a motorsport highlight from a German point of view.
Formula 1 is approaching another Verstappen year
In Formula 1, we have another Verstappen year ahead of us at the top, provided that Mercedes doesn’t spit in the soup.
Verstappen is the measure of all things with his world record of 15 wins in one season. The error rate is almost zero. Verstappen is Red Bull. He is the boss who rebels against team orders and who clearly shows where the hammer is.
Verstappen also showed Pérez very clearly: “You may be a good Formula 1 driver, but you’re still a long way from being a world champion and a long way from Verstappen.” You can’t say it any clearer to a number two driver. It will be interesting to see how Red Bull will then move into the future under the new leadership of Oliver Mintzlaff.
Helmut Marko is still behind the wheel, as is Christian Horner. If the two are left alone by the top Red Bull leadership, there is nothing to prevent Red Bull from becoming world champion again next year with Verstappen. The package is just too good in terms of driving and technology, even if there was a small penalty due to the budget cap violation. Red Bull will put its resources to good use thanks to aerodynamics genius Adrian Newey.
Now we have to keep our feet still, but the test drives on February 23rd are a first rehash.
Germany, on the other hand, must first recover, struggle and get ready for a peak in Formula 1 again. It’s going to be a long road, but thanks to Audi I’m positive about it.
Felix Gorner