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Wolff pleased with Schumacher's contributions so far

13 June 2023 at 07:40
Last update 13 June 2023 at 08:34
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  • Toby McLuskie

Mick Schumacher is Mercedes' third driver this season. The driver, who has already completed two full seasons in Formula 1, could not find a permanent place for 2023 and is therefore now doing development work for the German racing stable. Toto Wolff is very pleased with what he saw from Schumacher during last week's Pirelli tyre test.

Part of the Mercedes team stayed on after the Spanish Grand Prix for a tyre test for Pirelli, the Italian tyre supplier of motorsport's premier class. Schumacher himself was happy with his performance and Wolff is also content.

"He settled in well during the Pirelli tyre test and enjoyed the experience," the Mercedes team boss said in a press release from his employer. "Mick has become a valuable member of the Team already and his work in the simulator has proved useful in finding lap time, as we saw in Barcelona." Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finished second and third in Spain, thanks in part to Schumacher's preparations in the simulator.

No Schumacher, but Vesti?

When Schumacher may step back into the W14 is unclear at the moment. In any case, Mercedes may not use the 24-year-old German during the mandatory two free practice sessions for rookies. Only drivers who have driven a maximum of two Grands Prix in Formula 1 are allowed to take part in this. For Mercedes, using its own junior Frederik Vesti, currently leader in the F2 championship, would be the most logical choice.