‘F1 teams are missing out on Mick Schumacher – he was burned out last year’

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    Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has sung the praises of Mick Schumacher – but admitted he can't give him a seat for the 2024 grid.

    Schumacher is working as the German team's reserve driver this season having been replaced at Haas by Nico Hulkenberg. He struggled to find form in his first two seasons in F1.

    The 24-year-old's prospects are also looking bleak for next year, with a limited number of spots yet to be filled. But Wolff believes giving him a second chance is a risk worth taking.

    He told Sky Sports: "I think teams are missing out, to be honest. I think he was burned [out] last year.

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    "You need to give and provide an environment and framework that is different to every driver, we are all different human beings. And whoever gets him will have a very good pilot."

    With most drivers tied down to multi-year contracts, the only potential openings for Schumacher are at Alfa Romeo, AlphaTauri, Williams, and Haas.

    Does Schumacher deserve a seat next year – and if so, where? Let us know in the comments section.

    Mercedes work closely with Williams as their engine provider, as they do with Aston Martin and McLaren. Wolff made it clear that doesn't mean he can make one of them take on Schumacher, however.

    "I'm not even sure that we can facilitate [a seat], because every time we speak highly of him, somebody feels to say something negative," he added.

    "Wherever I can speak highly and praise Mick, that's what I'm doing. But at the end, it's every team's authority to decide on their drivers and I very much respect that.

    "Our contracts with the teams, were never 'you have to take our junior driver', 'you have to take our reserve driver', because when I was at Williams, I also wanted to have my own choice."

    • F1
    • Formula One
    • mercedes

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