After leaving Haas, Mick Schumacher is only a reserve driver in Formula 1 in the new season. DTM icon René Rast does not see a dead end for the 23-year-old in his job at Mercedes.
“Mick Schumacher’s step back is not a career killer. You saw it with Nico Hulkenberg, who made the comeback. Whether you’re a reserve driver, commentator or co-commentator – you can make it back to Formula 1,” admitted the three-time DTM champion is confident in an interview with “Sport1”.
After two years at Haas, Schumacher did not receive a new contract at the end of last year. The racing team took the more experienced Hülkenberg into the cockpit for him.
Meanwhile, the son of record world champion Michael Schumacher went to Mercedes as a replacement driver.
Now it is up to Mick Schumacher to accept the new situation and use it for himself, says Rast. “It’s important for Mick now to see how a top team works. So he’s learning a lot,” he said.
The 36-year-old even sees a chance that Schumacher could make a long-term breakthrough at Mercedes.
Rast hopes for Vettel effect in Formula 1
“Lewis Hamilton probably won’t drive for ten more years either. If he quits, a door could open for Mick. I think that’s a very good position he’s in right now,” analyzed the former Formula E driver.
Overall, however, he sees the current situation in Formula 1 from a German perspective with some wistfulness. “We had times when six or seven Formula 1 drivers came from Germany. Unfortunately, those times are over,” said Rast.
This is primarily due to the lack of young talent: “When Michael Schumacher celebrated his success, many young drivers naturally got into karting and wanted to achieve the same thing as Michael. The Vettel generation is not there yet. But I hope that they will yet to come.”
In 2023, with Hülkenberg, only one German driver will be driving in the premier class of motorsport.