Formula 1 has been evolving since its inception in the 20th century. Several eras and drivers have come and gone, each impacting the sport, making F1 what we see today. And one phenomenon that the 2023 rookie Nyck de Vries introduced us to in 2022 is signing as a backup driver for multiple teams on the grid. And the latest driver to join the Nyck de Vries academy of backup drivers is former Haas driver Mick Schumacher, who has now joined McLaren as a backup driver.
The fans went crazy as the announcement was made. The signing means McLaren will be the second team on the grid other than Mercedes, which has the option to call up Mick for racing on weekends. The addition of Mick as a backup shows how the teams are stacking up their reserves as well, with experienced drivers staying on standby.
McLaren will be able to call on @SchumacherMick as a reserve driver during the 2023 F1 season as part of our arrangement with Mercedes. Welcome to the family, Mick. 👊🧡 pic.twitter.com/DNiJ5s99rQ
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) February 1, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Bringing in Mick also means more pressure and a check on the main drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who were not spared by social media users. Now Mick in orange, after Mick in red and white, is something that the fans are dying to see.
Fans react to Mick Schumacher joining McLaren
After just driving for two seasons with Haas, Mick was ousted from the paddock with no seat offered to him. Following that termination, the driver left Ferrari after four years as a member of their drivers’ academy. But as the sign-ups for several teams come up, it means he’ll stay on the simulators to sharpen himself and wait for an opening.
READ MORE: Selfish Reasons Drive Mick Schumacher to Hope Sebastian Vettel Follows Michael’s F1 Footsteps
i don‘t know how it‘ll happen but reserve driver mick schumacher winning before lando would be so fucking funny
— Kat⁶³ (@grussell_63) February 1, 2023
me creating new accounts to get one month free trials pic.twitter.com/Ck1lVy3XWa
— shaaaarl (@shaaaarl_) February 1, 2023
I’m loving the nyck de vries-ification of mick schumacher pic.twitter.com/JQ248m5E3B
— Maude⁴⁷ (@schumihoney) February 1, 2023
Mick this year and Nyck last year pic.twitter.com/5m9fGPxhvf
— Alex (@zAlex22YT) February 1, 2023
— chelsea (@zeroschels) February 1, 2023
While there was a plethora of shots taken at Lando Norris, there were also many wholesome welcome posts for Mick.
— pau (@mpaauz) February 2, 2023
Welcome, Mick! pic.twitter.com/JRZIlT1eBU
— Mr. Pigz (@MisterPigz) February 1, 2023
Welcome Mick 💪🧡 pic.twitter.com/V5FZ4CODhb
— Schuchinchen (@Schuchinchen) February 1, 2023
The signing also means the rekindling of an old connection between the Schumachers and Andrea Stella. Schumacher will be present for the team driven by Andrea Stella, who previously served as Michael Schumacher’s Performance Engineer at Ferrari from 2002 to 2006, a period during which the pair won three drivers’ championships.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY: Ugliest Moments in Hamilton-Rosberg Rivalry
Finally, as a result, Schumacher joins IndyCar champion Alex Palou on McLaren’s list of backup drivers for the 2023 season. The German will be able to drive in if either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri, the papaya team’s new addition, cannot participate in a race weekend.