Mick Schumacher is in prime position to inherit a Mercedes race seat from Lewis Hamilton, according to his uncle.
The young German recently signed with the Silver Arrows as a reserve driver for the 2023 season. It was the best role available to him, having been axed by Haas at the end of the most recent campaign – when every other seat for next year had already been filled.
Part of Schumacher's duties will be to fill in either for Hamilton or George Russell if they are, for whatever reason, unable to take part in a race weekend. But other than in that scenario, his time in the seat of a Formula 1 car will be limited with Russell tied down for the long-term and Hamilton set to extend his current contract.
Ralf Schumacher, himself a former F1 driver, now works as a pundit on German TV, most regularly with Sky Sport. But it was during an interview with Sport1.de that he suggested his nephew might be in the frame for one of the top race seats on the grid, despite Hamilton's public desire to sign a new deal.
"It's a great opportunity for Mick. He can look over the shoulder of a top team at work and learn a lot," said the six-time race winner. "We've had this situation more often in the last three years. Although Lewis Hamilton is still an absolute top driver, he is no longer the youngest. Since the tooth of time gnaws. So you never know."
Schumacher has also been linked with Audi, as the car manufacturer is believed to want a German driver for when Sauber becomes its works team from the 2026 season. Referencing that, Ralf added: "'Audi would definitely make sense. For Mick and for Audi. But something could also happen at Mercedes.
"'Let's assume George Russell is faster than Lewis Hamilton again. Will he then continue at all? This will be exciting. But Lewis has so much credit with Mercedes that he decides it himself. In any case, the money will not play a role for him. He has more than enough of that. The decisive factor will be who suits the new car better."
Hamilton publicly welcomed Schumacher to the team after the news was announced before Christmas. But the Brit also made it clear that it is unlikely he will be spending too much time with the 23-year-old, even though they now wear the same colours.
"You don't work that closely with the third driver anymore," he is quoted as having told German outlet Sport Bild. "It's a lot of simulator work and not like it used to be, even though we'll still be team-mates."
