The 25-year-old Mick Schumacher, who was kicked out of the Haas garage two years ago, has chosen to cancel his contract as Mercedes' reserve driver.
Mick Schumacher has chosen to terminate his contract as reserve driver for Mercedes' Formula 1 team. After two years in the role, both parties announce that the collaboration is now ending.
Schumacher joined Mercedes after he lost his place at Haas to Nico Hülkenberg. But the time as reserve choir for the German team is now over.
Schumacher has officially shared the tasks as reserve and simulator choir with Danish Frederik Vesti, but in practice Vesti has been the primary simulator choir.
Schumacher has instead focused on traveling around with the Mercedes team and the sports car program at Alpine. A team that will withdraw from Formula 1 itself after 2025.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has repeatedly praised Schumacher and pointed to the German's potential. But the decision about the future choir fell instead on the young Kimi Antonelli.
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The 18-year-old Italian was chosen as part of the team's strategy to promote new talent. Which also means that neither Schumacher nor Vesti were prioritized as first choice.
Despite the end of the collaboration with Mercedes, Mick Schumacher continues his career in motorsport. Next season, he will run the endurance race for Alpine, as he has done in the past. The agreement between Schumacher and Mercedes has been terminated by mutual understanding, it is stated.
Mattia Binotto, head of Sauber-Audi, has previously commented on similar choices of young talent in motorsport, commenting on the trend with a remark that, in the eyes of many, says a lot about Mercedes' decision: "You can ask Toto why he chose Kimi and not Mick."
In an official statement, Toto Wolff expressed gratitude for Schumacher's efforts and wished him luck in his future challenges. Shortly after, Alpine and Schumacher announced that their collaboration in the sports car series will continue. Among other things in the European Le Mans series.
