The Schumacher name will continue to live on in Formula 1 in 2023 as Mercedes have picked up Mick Schumacher to replace the AlphaTauri-bound Nyck de Vries as the team’s reserve driver.
The German was released from Haas despite showing flashes of his potential during his two years with the American team, as Guenther Steiner opts to put his faith in the experience of Nico Hulkenberg.
Schumacher has been racing with the number 47 in his two years in F1, with fans making the link that it could mean, for seven, in support of his father Michael who would always choose the number seven and also won this number of drivers’ championships.
Michael Schumacher tragically suffered severe brain injuries in 2013 in a skiing accident, leaving the German in a coma with his life in danger.
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Thankfully, Schumacher survived the accident and now lives in Switzerland with his family, away from the public eye as he continues his rehabilitation.
The 3rd of January is Michael’s birthday and his son Mick has taken to social media to share a touching tribute to his father.
The 23-year-old posted a photo of himself as a child with his father during his racing days with the caption: “Happy birthday to the best Dad ever. Love you!”
Not much is known about the condition of Michael Schumacher as his family understandably choose to keep his life very private and only allow certain people to see the seven-time world champion after he awoke from his coma.
His wife Corinna has recently given a small update on her husband, explaining why they decided to keep him away from the public following the accident.
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“Michael is here, different, but he’s here and that gives us strength, I find,” she said.
“We try to carry on a family as Michael liked it and still does. And we are getting on with our lives. ‘Private is private’, as he always said. It is very important to me that he can continue to enjoy his private life as much as possible. Michael protected us and now we are protecting Michael.
The German raced for Mercedes before he finally retired from Formula 1 and Toto Wolff has said that his team will take Mick Schumacher under their wing and look after him, as the Schumacher name has a rich history with Mercedes.