Mick Schumacher has announced his departure from the Mercedes Formula 1 team at the end of the 2024 season, ending his two-year stint as the team’s reserve driver. The move comes as the 25-year-old German seeks to reignite his racing career with a full-time program in 2025.

From Reserve Role to Future Aspirations

Schumacher joined Mercedes in early 2023 after losing his Haas seat to Nico Hülkenberg and parting ways with the Ferrari Driver Academy. Over the past two seasons, he has contributed to Mercedes’ efforts through extensive simulator work, testing duties, and trackside support, earning high praise from team principal Toto Wolff.

“They have undoubtedly made me a more experienced racing driver because I have got to know the engineering side better,” Schumacher said, reflecting on his time at Mercedes. “But watching these cars race and not sitting in the cockpit myself is tough. I want to get back to focusing 100% on racing.”

Despite being linked to several F1 seats, including potential openings at Alpine and Williams, Schumacher was unable to secure a race seat for 2024. He has now set his sights on 2025, hinting at a more competitive drive in top-tier motorsport.

Praise from Mercedes

Wolff acknowledged Schumacher’s contributions, saying, “Mick’s hard work, diligence, and determination in his role as reserve driver has been vital for the team. From his work in the simulator to his performances in testing, we couldn’t have asked for any more from him.”

Wolff also emphasized Schumacher’s racing potential: “He is a driver of an incredibly high calibre who deserves to be competing in the very best championships. As he moves on to his next challenge, we wish him the very best.”

Bottas Set to Take Over

With Schumacher departing, reports suggest that Valtteri Bottas is poised to step into the Mercedes reserve role in 2025. Bottas, who will leave Sauber at the end of this year, is seen as a natural fit, given his familiarity with the team and its operations.

What’s Next for Schumacher?

While Schumacher’s exact plans for 2025 remain unclear, speculation has linked him to a potential drive with Cadillac, which is set to enter Formula 1 in 2026. For now, Schumacher’s focus is on continuing his racing development and leveraging his experiences in endurance racing, including a stint with Alpine in the World Endurance Championship.

As he departs Mercedes, Schumacher leaves behind a legacy of professionalism and growth. While his next move remains uncertain, his ambition to return to full-time racing underscores his determination to carve out a successful motorsport career.