McLaren has snapped up Mick Schumacher to serve as the team’s reserve driver for the upcoming Formula 1 season.
The team announced their decision across social media pages.
The 23-year-old will provide cover for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri should a need arise after McLaren agreed to terms on the deal with Mercedes, the team’s engine supplier. Schumacher will serve as Mercedes’ reserve driver as well for the 2023 season behind Lewis Hamilton and Geroge Russell after leaving Haas at the end of last season.
McLaren, before Mick Schumacher, also had a similar agreement with Alpine in place for Oscar Piastri last season. Their relationship soured after the English team snapped up Piastri, winning a contract dispute with Alpine for the services of the Australian.
Williams and Mercedes shared a similar role for Nyck de Vries with the Dutch driver turning up for both teams and even getting to race at the Italian GP for Williams.
He eventually landed a deal with Red Bull’s sister team AlphaTauri.
McLaren also has 2021 IndyCar champion Alex Palou contracted as a reserve driver role but 10 of the 23 scheduled F1 Grands Prix clash with IndyCar needing the team to find even more cover.
Schumacher will be hoping to follow de Vries’ path in landing a permanent seat on the grid to continue his F1 career.
