---
title: "Schumacher joins Mercedes as F1 reserve driver after Ferrari split"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2022/12/15/schumacher-joins-mercedes-as-f1-reserve-driver-after-ferrari-split/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Hamilton Lyndon-Griffiths"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2022-12-15T11:37:18Z"
modified: "2022-12-15T11:37:20Z"
---

# Schumacher joins Mercedes as F1 reserve driver after Ferrari split

Mercedes has announced Mick Schumacher will be its Formula 1 reserve driver in 2023 after ending his partnership with Ferrari as part of its young driver academy.

Schumacher’s future as a Ferrari young driver was reported to be coming to an end earlier this year, and on Thursday morning, Ferrari issued a statement confirming the team and Schumacher had “mutually decided not to extend their collaboration”.

The announcement brings to an end to the German’s four years with Ferrari, the team with which his father, Michael, won five of his seven F1 world championships.

Schumacher linked up with Ferrari ahead of his debut Formula 2 season in 2019 before winning the title the following year. He moved up to F1 in 2021 with Haas, and was named Ferrari’s official reserve driver for 2022, but Schumacher was dropped for next year after Haas leaned towards bringing in the experienced Nico Hulkenberg.

“Mick joined the Ferrari family through the young driver programme in 2019 and, as an FDA driver, competed in Formula 2 for two seasons with the Prema Racing team,” read Ferrari’s statement.

“He won three races and secured the 2020 championship title. The following year, he made his Formula 1 debut with the Haas F1 Team. He raced for the team for two years, starting in 43 races and scoring 12 points, finishing sixth in this year’s Austrian Grand Prix and 8th in the British Grand Prix. In addition, he covered the role of reserve driver for Scuderia Ferrari for the 2022 Formula 1 season.

“Scuderia Ferrari thanks Mick for these four years and the many kilometres covered together, and wishes him all the best for the future.”

While Schumacher was left without a drive for 2023, reports linking him with taking up a reserve driver role at Mercedes gathered pace after team boss Toto Wolff expressed an interest in working with him.

Mercedes confirmed on Thursday Schumacher would join the team as its reserve driver next year, revealing he will “conduct regular work in the simulator at Brackley” and will also attend all grand prix’s in his role.

“I am thrilled to be part of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team as their reserve driver for 2023, and I am committed to give it my all to contribute to their performance in this very competitive and professional environment,” said Schumacher.

“I take this as a new start, and I am just excited and grateful to Toto and everybody involved for putting their trust in me. F1 is such a fascinating world, and you never stop learning, so I look forward to absorbing more knowledge and putting in all my efforts for the benefit of the Mercedes team.”

Mercedes boss Wolff added: “Mick is a talented young driver and we’re delighted to have him join the Team. He is a hard worker, has a calm and methodical approach and is still hungry to learn and improve as a driver.

“These are all important qualities, and we’re excited for him to help us develop the W14. We also know that with two years of experience racing in Formula One under his belt, he will be ready to step into the car at short notice to replace either Lewis or George, should that need arise.”

Schumacher’s arrival at Mercedes sparks an emotional reunion after his seven-time world champion father raced for the German manufacturer between 2010 and 2012.