“In the same way we let Nyck de Vries go”: Toto Wolff admits possibility of Mick Schumacher joining Red Bull in future like Dutch driver

Mick Schumacher joined F1 as a driver for Haas in 2021 after winning the 2020 Formula 2 Championship. In his debut season, he impressed a lot of people with his performances, especially because he comprehensively outperformed his then-teammate Nikita Mazepin. However, 2022 saw Haas build a more dependable car and Schumacher struggled to replicate his good form.

He struggled to match his new teammate Kevin Magnussen, which became a problem for him since he also made mistakes that led to expensive crashes. Haas, who was already struggling financially wanted to go for a lesser expensive and more experienced driver in Nico Hulkenberg for 2023 and Schumacher lost his seat. The young German, however, will stay in touch with F1 as he joined Mercedes as a reserve driver for the upcoming campaign.

Mercedes’ reserve drivers right now may not have an immediate future with the team. Lewis Hamilton is still going strong at 38 years old, and 24-year-old George Russell just burst into the scene. Team boss Toto Wolff, however, assures Schumacher that his future will be taken care of at Mercedes.

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Wolff feels Mick Schumacher can join F1 like Nyck de Vries

Nyck de Vries is one of the most talented drivers of his generation and won both the F2 and Formula E World Championships. However, due toa  lack of opportunities, he never got his big break in F1. That was until AlphaTauri signed him up for 2023.

De Vries was a Mercedes reserve driver for several years leading up to his departure to AlphaTauri. The Silver Arrows provided him with opportunities in other racing ventures and he also got to drive F1 cars in FP1 sessions at some Grand Prix weekends. Wolff feels that if Schumacher is patient, he’ll be able to find his way back to F1 with Mercedes’ help.

Mercedes confirm Mick Schumacher as the team’s reserve driver! ✍️ pic.twitter.com/iJKNq4msdX

— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) December 15, 2022

“He’s a well-educated, intelligent and talented young man,” Wolff said to Racing News 365. “You see that his junior career track record was very good, and I believe if we can give him a safe environment to further develop, he can be a good racing driver in a permanent seat in the future.”

 

“In the same way we have let Nyck de Vries go in order for him to achieve a career, that could be something that could happen to Mick.”

Russell is currently tied to Mercedes on a multi-year contract, whereas Hamilton’s deal is set to expire at the end of 2023. However, it is widely reported that the Briton will extend his deal with the Brackley-based outfit.

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