The reserve driver for Mercedes, Mick Schumacher, is prepared to step in for Lewis Hamilton or George Russell if they are unable to race. Due to conflicting schedules between Formula 1 (F1) and World Endurance Championship (WEC), Schumacher has prioritized F1. He expressed gratitude for Mercedes’ support and emphasized the importance of being mentally and physically prepared for any opportunities that may arise. After spending time with Haas and working in the simulator for Mercedes, Schumacher’s contributions were acknowledged by Hamilton and Russell as Mercedes finished second in the 2023 F1 World Championship. The 2024 F1 silly season has started early with Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, creating an opening at Mercedes. Schumacher is open to any available seat and believes there is a positive shift that could benefit him. He hopes that his involvement in WEC will showcase his potential for Formula 1, especially after leaving on a less than ideal note. Racing in a closed-cockpit car for Alpine will be a new experience for Schumacher, but memories of being driven by his father in a GT3 car still resonate with him. As the 2020 Formula 2 champion, Schumacher is excited to be back in a racing environment and is eager to analyze and improve his performance. Visiting Alpine’s Enstone factory holds significance for Schumacher, as it is where his father began his career in sports cars and won his first two F1 titles. Schumacher believes that his father’s influence can still be felt there. The WEC season will commence with a prologue in Qatar on February 24-25, coinciding with the opening round of the 2024 F1 World Championship in Bahrain. The Qatar 1812 race will take place on March 2. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin)
According to the Source grandprix247.com