Mercedes like ‘one of the best’ Lewis Hamilton replacements according to Ralf Schumacher

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Mick Schumacher has a ‘good chance’ to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes when the seven-time F1 champion goes to Ferrari, according to his uncle Ralf Schumacher.

Brackley bosses are now on the hunt for a new driver after Hamilton used the release clause in his contract. Mercedes only gave the 39-year-old a new deal last August for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. But Hamilton has seen enough, so will replace Carlos Sainz at Ferrari in 2025.

Hamilton has been at Mercedes since 2013 and has won six of his seven titles so far with the German automotive giants. Yet two winless seasons as the Silver Arrows pursued a zero-pod concept convinced the Briton that he needed a change. Now, he will partner Charles Leclerc.

Mick Schumacher has a ‘good chance’ to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025

Now, Mick Schumacher is among Mercedes’ potential options to replace Hamilton with the 24-year-old embedded in Brackley as the reserve driver. He joined the Silver Arrows in 2023 after Haas axed the son of seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher after two seasons.

Schumacher moved into Formula 1 on the back of winning the 2020 Formula 2 title. He also won the European F3 title in 2018 but then struggled when racing beside Kevin Magnussen in 2022. He scored just 12 points over 22 Formula 1 rounds to the 31-year-old’s 25 that year.

Haas further opted to replace Schumacher with Nico Hulkenberg for 2023 after the German did serious damage to the American-owned team’s budget with a series of big crashes. The ex-Ferrari academy gem had particularly costly shunts in Monaco and Saudi Arabia in 2022.

Ralf Schumacher believes Mick Schumacher is ‘one of the best’ young drivers around

Nonetheless, Ralf Schumacher believes his nephew, Mick, is ‘one of the best’ young drivers and can replace Hamilton at Mercedes. The former BMW and Toyota F1 driver further feels George Russell is ready to replace Hamilton as their team leader to let a young talent arrive.

The sole slight doubt Schumacher has about Mercedes promoting their reserve driver – who will do the Hypercar class in WEC with Alpine in 2024 – to replace Hamilton is whether team principal Toto Wolff feels he is ready. But Ralf is confident that Wolff appreciates Mick’s skill.

“There won’t be that many candidates,” Schumacher told Sky Germany. “It’s the question of what Toto Wolff wants to do. George Russell – if he doesn’t make any mistakes – is certainly capable of following in Lewis’ footsteps and leading the team.

“Now, the question is: Do you go for experience or bring in new, young person? Mick would certainly be one of the best options in the young area… I think Mick’s chances are good and I think he deserves the chance.

“He would be a man who – alongside Russell – can be built up for the future. I’m pretty confident about that. Now, all that’s left is if Toto Wolff is of the same opinion. So far, I’ve only heard positive things from him about Mick.”

What has Mick Schumacher said about a return to Formula 1?

While news of Hamilton leaving Mercedes for Ferrari broke this Thursday, Schumacher also discussed his desire to return to Formula 1 this week. The Silver Arrows reserve driver feels the number of drivers being out of contract after 2024 could see him land a drive next year.

“The fact that the driver market is already quite active, and that will continue to increase in the coming months, could play into my hands,” Schumacher told Bild.

“A lot will happen there. Not only will there be changes in the teams’ cockpits, but one or two drivers may also end their careers. And there is currently no talent emerging from the youth series. But it is clear that I am not getting anything for free.”

Schumacher also added: “I know I have the skills for it – I am good enough. I showed that in Formula 4, Formula 3 and Formula 2. The fact that I won races and championships is quickly forgotten. I proved that in addition to driving, I can also handle pressure.”