Schumacher ditches Mercedes F1 role for full-time racing in 2025 

After two years as a Reserve Driver for Mercedes, Mick Schumacher has decided to leave the team at the end of the year to dedicate himself to full-time racing in 2025.

First joining Mercedes in 2023 after his two-year stint as a full-time Formula 1 driver with Haas came to an end, Schumacher has now elected to leave the German team on the grounds of wanting to dedicate himself to full-time racing next year, having missed out on a full-time driver with Mercedes itself after the team opted to sign Kimi Antonelli in September. 

Schumacher’s name was thrown around the F1 paddock as an option for several other available seats at Sauber, Alpine, Haas, and Williams earlier this year, however, pen never made it to paper for the son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher, forcing him to shift his primary focus elsewhere.

Although his future F1 plans remain under wraps, the 25-year-old confirmed that he will continue to be a part of Alpine’s World Endurance Championship for the second year running.

Posting a statement on social media, Schumacher said:

“I am delighted to announce that I will continue to be part of the Alpine Endurance adventure. 

“We had a great first year together, and I am determined to help ensure that the performance of the program is even better in the second year. 

“We have defined a few points where we want to attack, so I’m really looking forward to my second endurance season.”

The German will drive at Alpine alongside Charles Milesi, Paul-Loup Chatin, Ferdinand Habsburg, Jules Gounon, and Frenchman Frédéric for the 2025 WEC season.

At Mercedes, Schumacher fulfilled his duties in the team’s simulator, while also providing valuable on-track feedback during various tests and race weekends, and could often be spotted standing alongside Mercedes CEO and Team Principal, Toto Wolff during each session.

In a statement announcing his elected departure from the team, Schumacher said: 

“I am grateful to Toto and the entire Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team for the insight I have gained over these two years. 

“They have undoubtedly made me a more experienced racing driver because I have got to know the engineering side better. 

“But watching these cars race and not sitting in the cockpit myself is tough. 

“I want to get back to focusing 100% on racing. 

“I want to be fully committed to the sporting side of motorsport. 

“Ultimately, it is racing that you want to do as a driver, it is racing that gives you that feeling you love.”

Understanding of the 25-year-old’s desire to be back on track on a full-time basis, and acknowledging that is something Mercedes cannot provide Schumacher with, Wolff said he is a driver “that deserves to be competing in the very best championships”.

“Mick’s hard work, diligence, and determination in his role as Reserve Driver has been vital for the team over the past two years,” he added. 

“From his work in the simulator, testing of various cars, and being part of the trackside team, we couldn’t have asked for any more from him. 

“From day one, he fitted into the team with ease and has become an incredibly well-liked colleague for everyone at Brackley and Brixworth.

“However, Mick is first and foremost a racing driver. 

“We have seen from both his time in F1, and this year with his performances in the World Endurance Championship, that he is a racer of an incredibly high calibre and one that deserves to be competing in the very best championships. 

“As he moves on to his next challenge, I would like to thank Mick personally for his contribution to our team and we all wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”

The decision from Schumacher opens the door for Valtteri Bottas to return to his former team as a Reserve Driver, with the Fin currently unemployed after Sauber’s current lineup was replaced by Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto for 2025.

Image: Simon Galloway / LAT Images

2024 Qatar Grand Prix Schedule:

Saturday, November 30:

FP1: 00:30 – 01:30

Sprint Qualifying: 04:30 – 05:14

Sunday, December 1:

Sprint Race: 01:00 – 02:00

Qualifying: 05:00 – 06:00

Monday, December 2:

Race: 03:00

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