Mick Schumacher. I’m sure you’ve heard of him? 2018 Formula 3 champion, 2020 Formula 2 champion, has been driving for Haas in Formula One since 2021 and is son of seven time F1 World Champion; Michael Schumacher? Yup, that’s him. Unfortunately for the young German, his career in Formula One hasn’t been quite as pristine as his F2 and F3 campaigns. Or that, of his father’s career. In fact, just before the last race of the 2022 season, one of the worst kept secrets of F1 was confirmed. Schumacher would lose his seat at Haas leaving him without a race seat in 2023. However, it’s not all doom and gloom for the 23 year old. Seeing that Schumacher was now free from any contracts, Mercedes AMG F1 Team jumped at the chance to replace their departing reserve drivers, Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne, with the young ex-Ferrari protege that is Mick Schumacher. So, what do I make of this new signing? Is it a good move or a bad one? And, was Haas right to let Schumacher go in favour of the, more experienced, Nico Hulkenberg?
As mentioned before, Schumacher never had it easy in Formula One. His difficult start was, somewhat, expected, but still, expectations were high for him to perform well. He’s a Schumacher, after all. However, this never came to fruition and the German driver ended his first F1 Championship season in 19th place with zero points. On the plus side, he did beat his then teammate, Nikita Mazepin.
After a successful pre-season test in Bahrain and the return of Kevin Magnussen to the Haas team, things were looking up for Haas and Schumacher in 2022. But as with 2021, things were still not coming together for the 23 year old. It took him until the British Grand Prix before he scored his first points in F1. Towards the end of the season, the likelihood of seeing Schumacher in F1 in 2023 was starting to look bleak with his fate confirmed just before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
It was obvious the relationship between Haas and Schumacher was starting to break down from mid-2022. For that reason alone, I think it was time for him to leave. However, I don't particularly think that Schumacher is/was a bad driver. He's a very capable driver and F1 is a completely different ball game to the likes of F2 and F3. Unfortunately for Schumacher, I believe he was hindered by his name. People expected too much and became too critical when he couldn't emulate his father's success. They would forget Mick is not Michael. Even TV pundits would call Mick Michael every now and again. That was the issue. People struggled to differentiate the two.
Mercedes, however, have recognised Mick's capabilities by signing him as reserve driver for 2023. The likelihood of a race seat with the team in the near future is quite unlikely. However, I think a reserve seat at a top team, such as Mercedes, is the next best thing for him. So, although Schumacher isn't racing, he's still involved in F1 and still gets the experience to help him in the future. Plus, there is always the possibility that he can get a seat with a team that runs a Mercedes engine.
I'm quite undecided over my opinions of Haas replacing Schumacher. Of course the signing of an experienced driver, like Nico Hulkenberg, will be a benefit to the team, but should they have kept Mick? I really don't know. I am, however, under the impression that a reserve role in a different team will do more good than harm to him. He can start afresh and watch from the inside, building on his experience. Only time will tell if we'll see Schumacher in F1 once again. I think it'll be a shame if we don't.
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