Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher has discussed his first eight months at the Silver Arrows, and how he’s been left surprised by how much he’s learnt so soon.
Schumacher was signed by team principal Toto Wolff after the German was left without a seat for 2023, due to Haas having opted not to offer him a new contract.
Haas decided to sign experienced German Nico Hulkenberg instead giving Schumacher a new deal, a decision which so far has worked in the American side’s favour.
Nevertheless, Schumacher has found himself in a great team, in a role which has previously been held by Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne.
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Wolff is also a big fan of Schumacher, who drove the W14 in a Pirelli tyre test after the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.
He’s already had the opportunity to work with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, as well as listen in on exchanges between the engineers, something he admits he finds “extremely interesting”.
He didn’t actually think he’d learn so much so soon, something which has pleasantly surprised him.
“It’s also been fascinating working with Lewis and George. It’s an interesting period for me as I get to look over and work with two fantastic drivers, which you don’t always get to do,” Schumacher said.
“I’ve learned a lot about what’s important in terms of approaching race weekends; I feel like I’ve already gained so much knowledge to add to my skillset. I didn’t think I would have learned and gained so much so early into my role.”
Schumacher added: “As a driver, you usually do not get to hear what is going on between all the engineers while you are out on the track, so listening in during the sessions has been extremely interesting. I was quite shocked at the season opener in Bahrain, I did not expect the sheer amount of exchange that happens.”
With the exception of a test in Barcelona and Silverstone, most of Schumacher’s work so far has been in the simulator.
Due to the German having raced the new era of F1 cars last season though, this has massively benefitted Mercedes.
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Schumacher recognises the benefit of this, with him especially enjoying working with engineers who also worked with his father – Michael Schumacher – when he was at Mercedes.
“My main focus up to now has been working in the simulator. Because I have raced a car under this new set of regulations, I have a good understanding of how to drive them,” Schumacher continued.
“You don’t know what you’re missing until you are actually part of it. What I really appreciate in working with those engineers is that they are genuinely listening to you and your opinion matters, and what is special from an emotional side is that many people who are working for the Team now were working here when my dad was driving.”