Toto Wolff admits ‘perfect’ 24-year-old driver not on the grid deserves to be in F1 right now

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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has admitted that reserve driver Mick Schumacher deserves a race seat in F1 right now.

The battle to get onto the Formula 1 is becoming more and more difficult as Mick Schumacher has discovered over the past 12 months.

Speaking to Speedcafe, Toto Wolff has shared his thoughts on Mick Schumacher’s immediate future.

Breaking onto the Formula 1 grid is becoming increasingly difficult but staying there is an entirely different prospect.

Mick Schumacher was given his opportunity when Guenther Steiner decided to hire two rookies back in 2021.

Schumacher raced alongside Nikita Mazepin that year, although both drivers failed to score a point.

Kevin Magnussen was brought in to replace Mazepin the following year and while Schumacher finally recorded a top-ten finish, he was shown up by his more experienced Danish teammate.

Schumacher was demoted to a reserve driver role this year with Mercedes, but Toto Wolff believes he’s fast enough to be in F1 right now with Bernie Ecclestone agreeing.

Finding a seat for the 24-year-old isn’t going to be easy, especially after George Russell and Lewis Hamilton signed new contracts until the end of 2025 with the team.

He might have to look outside the Mercedes group and hope that there’s some upheaval on the grid this season.

Wolff believes Schumacher deserves F1 drive

Asked for his thoughts on Schumacher’s driver in the World Endurance Championship in 2024, Wolff said: “Mick is a good driver and deserves to be in F1.

“Sadly, there isn’t any place free at present. Mick going into WEC, which is a world championship with a constructor like Alpine, is a very good opportunity for him.

“I believe he’s going to do a perfect job and it keeps him sharp racing and possibly helps him come back into Formula 1.”

While Wolff might not be able to offer Schumacher a route back into F1, he needs to suitably impress another team boss with his performances in the WEC to stand any chance of adding to his 12 career points.

There are so many young drivers trying to get into Formula 1 right now and they all have their own connections to the teams on the grid.

For Aston Martin to choose Schumacher over Felipe Drugovich for example, he’s going to need to do something spectacular.

We can only wait and see what he’s capable of next year.