Mick Schumacher endured a somewhat disappointing 2022 season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in what was his last Formula 1 race until at least 2024, with the driver having been dropped by Haas.
Following much speculation, it was confirmed ahead of the season finale that Schumacher’s contract wouldn’t be extended by Haas, with the German having been axed from the side so that Nico Hulkenberg could move in.
It appears very unlikely that Schumacher will never race in the sport again, given that Audi are rumoured to be very interested in signing the 23-year-old for when they join F1 in 2026.
The son of Michael Schumacher had to settle for 16th at the Yas Marina Circuit, alas, still ahead of team-mate Kevin Magnussen.
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Schumacher would’ve finished higher up the order had he not hit Williams’ Nicholas Latifi at Turn Five, an incident which resulted in both drivers spinning.
Latifi was oddly slow into the corner, with Schumacher having seemingly misjudged the Canadian’s pace.
Schumacher gently hit the rear of Latifi at the apex of the corner, but it was enough of a hit for both to spin.
He was understandably awarded with a five-second time penalty for causing a collision, something that was expected.
It marked a disappointing end to his season, with all eyes now on what the German does next.
Whilst his aim is to return to full-time F1 in 2024, it is being heavily reported that he may sign a deal with Mercedes, to become the Germans new reserve driver.
With Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne having left Mercedes following the conclusion of the season, the Silver Arrows are in need of at least one reserve driver, a role Schumacher is tipped to get.
This is potentially a very good place for him to be in 2023, given that he’ll be working closely with a front running team.
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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff spoke very highly of the driver to Auto Motor und Sport reporter Andreas Haupt, who he hailed as a “well-mannered young man”.
“Mick is an intelligent, well-mannered young man who has been very successful in the junior formulas,” Wolff is reported as saying, per Haupt.
“I think between us it would fit. We can take care of him. There has been no signing yet. We are not close to it either,” Wolff revealed.