For Mick Schumacher, 2023 should only be a transitional year in Formula 1. But the former Haas driver still has no prospect of a regular place in the premier class for the next season, as he admitted on the fringes of the race in the Netherlands.
13 races have already been completed in the current season, nine are still to be driven. And it is still unclear whether German Formula 1 fans will see Mick Schumacher again as a regular driver on the track after a year’s break.
“There is no time horizon yet, I’m still working on it,” admitted Schumacher when asked about his future in Formula 1 on the sidelines of the Dutch Grand Prix on “Sky”: “Time is running out a little, but I have to take me.”
Formula 1 comeback for Mick Schumacher? That’s what uncle Ralf says
Meanwhile, his uncle Ralf Schumacher gives hope that Formula 1 is “very dynamic”. “Everything can always happen. Mick is still in the middle of the action,” said the “Sky” expert.
Mick Schumacher was in Haas in 2021 and 2022, but ultimately could not convince Günther Steiner, the team boss of the US racing team, to extend his contract.
Since the other teams had already filled their vacancies, the 24-year-old was ultimately left with the role of reserve and test driver at Mercedes. There, team boss Toto Wolff is considered one of his biggest sponsors.
Formula 1: Mick Schumacher “over the night” in the simulator
Schumacher was therefore involved in the developments at Mercedes even before the turbulent race in Zandvoort, which Max Verstappen won ahead of Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly.
“I was in the simulator on Thursday and Friday, and also overnight on Friday,” explained Schumacher: “But we didn’t have too much to do because the car was really good on the track and the drivers were relatively happy hopefully we’ve taken a step and gotten something positive out of it.”
Mercedes superstar Lewis Hamilton finished sixth in the rainy Zandvoort race, although he said he was “as fast as Verstappen”. George Russell had to settle for 17th place due to a misjudgment with the tires.