has determined to depart his function as a reserve driver on the finish of the 2024 season.
The 25-year-old German, son of seven-time F1 world champion , was dropped by on the after a two-year run however within the two years since has been an understudy for George Russell and Lewis Hamilton on the Silver Arrows.
Nonetheless, having not appeared as soon as on an F1 weekend and for 2025, Schumacher has determined to depart the group and discover new alternatives after what he described as a “robust” two years watching within the storage.
Schumacher stated: “I’m grateful to Toto [Wolff] and your entire Mercedes F1 group for the perception I’ve gained over these two years, they’ve undoubtedly made me a extra skilled racing driver as a result of I’ve acquired to know the engineering facet higher.
“However watching these vehicles race and never sitting within the cockpit myself is hard. I wish to get again to focusing 100% on racing. I wish to be absolutely dedicated to the sporting facet of motorsport.
“In the end, it’s racing that you simply wish to do as a driver, it’s racing that provides you that feeling you like.”
Schumacher was closely linked with the second seat at Sauber subsequent yr however present F2 championship chief Gabriel Bortoleto landed that seat.
The German informed The Impartial that he was “actually hungry” to carve a route again into F1 as a primary alternative over different motorsport competitions.
But Schumacher did compete for Alpine within the World Endurance Championship (WEC) this yr and raced on the well-known 24 Hours of Le Mans occasion.
A full WEC season appears Schumacher’s most probably subsequent transfer in motorsport, although he may additionally pursue a spot in IndyCar in america.
Mercedes group principal Wolff added: “Mick’s laborious work, diligence, and willpower in his function as reserve driver has been important for the group over the previous two years.
“From his work within the simulator, testing of varied vehicles, and being a part of the trackside group, we couldn’t have requested for any extra from him. From day one, he fitted into the group with ease and has grow to be an extremely well-liked colleague for everybody at Brackley and Brixworth.
“Nonetheless, Mick is in the beginning a racing driver. We’ve seen from each his time in F1, and this yr together with his performances within the World Endurance Championship, that he’s a racer of an extremely excessive calibre and one which deserves to be competing in the easiest championships.
“As he strikes on to his subsequent problem, I want to thank Mick personally for his contribution to our group and all of us want him the easiest in his future endeavours.”
Mercedes are set to carry again Valtteri Bottas to behave as their reserve driver subsequent yr, after the Finn was dropped from his seat at Sauber. Bottas drove for the group from 2017-2021 earlier than being changed by George Russell.
Schumacher has already been confirmed in Sydney subsequent March, competing alongside compatriot Sebastian Vettel.
