Mick Schumacher has been added as a McLaren F1 reserve driver for the 2023 season after their deal with Mercedes.
As has been in the last few seasons, McLaren has stitched up a deal with Mercedes to hire their reserve driver as one of theirs for the 2023 season. Until last year, Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne were in that role but for this season, it will be Schumacher.
The German joined Mercedes after he was not retained by Haas. He left the Ferrari family to join the German manufacturer who were in need of a reserve driver. He already had his seat fit at Brackley in the last few days to prepare for the season ahead.
As part of the deal, McLaren will get the services of Schumacher as the German completed his seat fit at Woking too. He joins IndyCar driver Alex Palou in the reserve role, with the F1 team having Will Stevens and Oliver Turvey as simulator drivers.
In a small nugget from the past, the team noted that its team boss Andrea Stella had previously worked as a performance engineer to Michael. “McLaren will be able to call on Mick Schumacher as a reserve driver during the 2023 F1 season as part of our arrangement with Mercedes. Welcome to the family, Mick.
“It is a full circle. McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella worked closely with Mick’s father, the legendary Michael Schumacher, as his Performance Engineer,” said the team in a small statement.
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