Toto Wolff Defends Mick Schumacher's F1 Future: "Will Be In The Mercedes"
Mercedes team principal and CEO Toto Wolff has jumped to Mick Schumacher's defence over how he was treated during the end of his contract with Haas.
Schumacher left the American team at the end of 2022 when his contract was not extended. The driver then signed with Mercedes as their reserve driver for 2023, following in his father, Michael Schumacher's footsteps to the Brackley-based squad.
Haas team principal Guenther Steiner was very publicly critical of Schumacher's on-track performances before replacing him with Nico Hulkenberg. Wolff explained that Steiner would not have treated Mick the way he did if Michael had been by his side.
Michael Schumacher suffered from severe brain injuries from a skiing accident in December 2013. Since then the family has kept extremely private and the seven-time champion has not been seen.
During an interview with Blick, Wolff said:
“I can only say that his parents did nothing wrong in bringing him up.
“And I claim that if Michael had accompanied his son during the two Haas years, Steiner would not have dared to treat Mick like that!”
Wolff went on to add that Schumacher is ready to drive should either Lewis Hamilton or George Russell be unable to. He continued:
“This time Mick would drive. I’m looking for the little one.
“If one of our drivers gets Covid or gets injured, Mick will be in the Mercedes! Period, end of discussion!
“We’re trying to get an old car ready for him as soon as possible.”
Schumacher has already indicated that he has had contact from some teams regarding a permanent seat in 2024, so fans are hoping to see him back on-track full-time for the 2024 season.