A role as a reserve driver was not what Mick Schumacher had in mind for the 2023 F1 season.
The second generation star was seen as a major coup for Haas when he joined ahead of the 2021 campaign, with the famous surname alone inevitably raising media intrigue. But it proved a difficult two year stint, with Schumacher managing just two top-10 finishes and missing the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix last year after a high-impact crash in qualifying.
Team boss Gunther Steiner never sought to hide his discontent amid the struggles of the German driver, and duly replaced him for the new campaign with Nico Hulkenberg. And his frustrations evidently remain, having reportedly lashed out in his new book at the financial implications of Schumacher's accidents in 2022.
But the 24-year-old was given an F1 lifeline by Mercedes, serving as back up to Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. And working with the man who currently shares the record of seven world titles seemingly has its benefits, even if Schumacher hasn't warmed to watching races from the paddock.
“I’ve learned a lot about what’s important in terms of approaching race weekends; I feel like I’ve already gained so much knowledge to add to my skillset," he said, on the official F1 website. "I didn’t think I would have learned and gained so much so early into my role.
"As a driver, you usually do not get to hear what is going on between all the engineers while you are out on the track, so listening in during the sessions has been extremely interesting. I was quite shocked at the season opener in Bahrain, I did not expect the sheer amount of exchange that happens."
There is of course, a more poignant reason behind Schumacher's appreciation of his new surroundings. Having initially retired from the sport in 2006 after iconic stints at Benetton and Ferrari, his legendary father returned in 2010 and spent three seasons at Mercedes, replaced by Hamilton after eventually stepping away from F1 for good.
But many engineers who worked alongside Schumacher Sr. for his final stint remain with the team: “You don’t know what you’re missing until you are actually part of it," he added. "What I really appreciate in working with those engineers is that they are genuinely listening to you and your opinion matters, and what is special from an emotional side is that many people who are working for the team now were working here when my dad was driving.”
Toto Wolff has given assurances that Schumacher will be utilised in the simulator, and will be first in line if Russell or Hamilton are unable to take to the start line on a Grand Prix weekend. Should that chance materialise, the German will not only view the opportunity to compete at the top end of the grid, but continue a legacy as well.
