Despite Toto Wolff Shooting Down Redemption Hopes, Mick Schumacher Sets a Time on His F1 Return

Once a driver gets a taste of racing in Formula 1, there’s no turning back. So when they don’t secure a seat in F1, they fight that much harder to get back to it. And that’s exactly what Mick Schumacher is trying to do. He joined F1 in 2021 and drove for Haas till the end of 2022, after which German compatriot Nico Hulkenberg replaced him. But Mercedes snatched him up and made him its reserve driver for 2023. While that role has been fulfilling, he’s striving for more.

During his time in Mercedes, he’s worked on the simulator and also got to drive the W14 at the Pirelli tire test after the Spanish GP in Barcelona. That outing gave him a feel of the 2023 car while he helped the team gather valuable data for next year. He also played a huge role in the double-podium Mercedes achieved at the Spanish GP because of his work on the simulator. His success off-track only fuels his hunger to get back on it, and he is fighting for redemption.

Mick Schumacher is working hard to get back on the grid

After the Pirelli test, where Schumacher had a good showing, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff was asked about Mick’s future. He explained that despite being a talented driver, his chances of securing a seat in 2024 are bleak. Most of the teams have drivers on contracts at least till the end of 2024, including Mercedes, because of which Wolff didn’t show much optimism. And now that Mick is no longer in the Ferrari family, joining a Ferrari-affiliated team is also not likely. 

Despite what Wolff said, Mick is confident about getting a seat in F1 soon. In an interview discussing his future in the sport, he said, as quoted by formu1a.uno, “Believe me; I’m working very hard to be back in a car soon. Very soon, next year at the latest. “That should be the time for me again. I’m sure something will happen in the near future.” Even though most seats on the grid are occupied, he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of getting an offer from any of them. He’s ready to grab the first opportunity he gets. 

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According to Wolff, one of the only options Mick has is Williams, not because it’s Mercedes-affiliated but because one seat might get vacant at the end of 2023—Logan Sargeant’s. And Mick will have his eyes set on it.

Logan Sargeant’s future in F1 may be in danger

Sargeant joined F1 this year and is driving alongside the experienced Alex Albon. While Albon is at Williams on a multi-year contract, Sergeant doesn’t have the same privilege. Being a rookie, it’s taking time for him to get used to an F1 car, but that doesn’t overlook the fact that he has been unable to beat Albon in any of the season’s eight qualifying sessions and races. If he doesn’t pick up his pace and performance, Williams might look to replace him. And Schumacher will be waiting.

It isn’t all bad news for Sargeant, though. Until the Canadian GP, he had a 100% finishing record in F1. But due to mechanical issues in the car in Montreal, he had to retire from the race. The consistency of finishing races is likely to have helped him get used to things in F1, but if he wants to extend his time here, he needs to start putting in performances to help the team secure P7 in the championship.

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What do you think about Mick Schumacher’s situation? Will he be able to secure a drive for 2024, or will he have to wait longer?