Haas decided to opt for experience over potential in 2023 by replacing Mick Schumacher, who has been with the team for two years, with 35-year-old Nico Hulkenberg.
The team’s experiment in 2021 of appointing two rookies in the form of Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin was somewhat of a failure, as the youngsters inconstancy and tendency to crash cost the team millions of dollars in repairs and prize money.
Toto Wolff had suggesting in the aftermath of Haas’ decision to replace the German that Schumacher would benefit from a year away from the grid to group and reassess, and has now decided to sign the 23-year-old for Mercedes as a third driver.
While Schumacher will not race in 2023 unless either Lewis Hamilton or George Russell are unable to, however he will take part in simulator work for the team as they gather data with the aim of improving their car over the course of the season.
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The son of former Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher has suggested that he is not signing for Mercedes to take a back seat and relax, instead hoping that he can make a major contribution to the team’s success.
“The simulator work is going to be very important. We have a lot to do so hopefully I will contribute the knowledge that I have, but also gain knowledge for myself and hopefully I can use that for the rest of my career,” explained Schumacher.
“I saw the development of the W13 had been through this year and the steps it had taken over the course of the year from a difficult start to a race-winning car.
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“Hopefully I will be able to contribute a good amount to it and we will be able to fight for the world championships at the end of the year.
“To see the growth of the team in immense, and it shows why the team is at the standard that it’s at right now. I’m very happy to be a part of it, very excited to see more if it and get to know everybody.”
Schumacher will be hoping to use the experience that he gains from his year at Mercedes to secure him a race seat in 2024, having admitted that he feels at home in Formula 1 despite his Haas sacking, and has not intention to enter a different series in the hunt for a return to racing.