Formula 1 is all about building a legacy. That’s the end goal. That being said, only a handful have ever really achieved it. From 2000 to 2004, Michael Schumacher won five consecutive world championships with Ferrari. While Enzo Ferrari once famously said, “Ask a child to draw a car, and certainly he will draw it red,” if you ask a Formula 1 fan about Schumacher, they’ll picture him in that storied scarlet red of the Scuderia. Naturally, the Schumacher name is etched parallel to that of the prancing horse. Hence, it should not come as a surprise that Michael’s son, Mick Schumacher, too, began his road to F1 with the team from Maranello. But the cruel mistress that is F1 may have finally forced the hand of a son to dump his father’s crown for Mercedes.

After a contentious 2022 season with Haas, the American team had had enough of Schumacher wracking up million-dollar bills for his travels to the gravel pit on his way to meeting the barriers. As a consequence, the 23-year-old German driver was shown the exit doors. However, the end of his Haas career eventually also spelled the end of his affiliation with Ferrari. Being a Ferrari customer team, Haas employed the German due to his Ferrari academy roots. While still holding the hands of the Scuderia, he tried salvaging his F1 career as Mercedes held out their hand. And in a sensational turn of events, he grabbed them with both of his.

Mick Schumacher is now a Mercedes reserve driver. And on the day they revealed their 2023 challenger, the sleek all-black W14, Schumacher finally denounced his father’s legacy. Formulapassion.it quoted Schumacher as saying, “I have always felt very close to Mercedes.” [translated via Google Translate]

This shouldn’t come as a total surprise, given his father was also once a Mercedes backed racer.

But for the German, helping Lewis Hamilton to that elusive 8th title trumps his father’s Ferrari legacy at the moment. “I am very happy to be part of the team and I know how important my role will be in promoting development of the W14. I am committed to giving my best to contribute to our performance.”

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Schumacher’s 2023 has started off with an approving Silver Arrows fanbase. But can he shrug the shackles of a reserve driver role and burst onto the first team?

George Russell has some advice for Mercedes newbie Mick Schumacher

Safe to say, but George Russell does know a thing or two about getting that prized Mercedes race seat. And on that note, when it came to being a good teammate, the lad from Kings Lynn was more than forthcoming.

In an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, the 1x Grand Prix winner gave Schumacher an inside line into thriving at the team. He said, “If I were in Mick’s shoes, I would be super hard in the simulator here work in Brackley and try everything to integrate well into the team.” [translated via Google Translate]

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Lewis Hamilton isn’t going to stick around forever. In the situation that he does leave the team in the coming few seasons, can Mick Schumacher assume that Mercedes race seat?