Mick Schumacher will drive dad Michael's car in rare chance to impress Mercedes

22 June 2023 , 14:56

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Mick Schumacher will drive at Goodwood (Image: Vince Mignott/Getty Images)

Mick Schumacher will drive the Mercedes W02 car that was raced by his father at the Goodwood Festival of Speed next month.

The 24-year-old is the Mercedes reserve driver, backing up Lewis Hamilton and George Russell this season. He was picked up by the team after being dropped by Haas and has been working out of the spotlight for the manufacturer.

But he will take centre stage at the Goodwood Festival, which takes place on July 14 to 16. Schumacher will drive on Saturday and Sunday, taking the wheel of the Mercedes W02 – a car his dad, Michael Schumacher, drove back in the 2011 season, along with Nico Rosberg.

“It's going to be spectacular to run in my dad's 2011 car, the W02, even if it is only a short run,” he said. “Just experiencing this generation of cars will be mega! Knowing that he raced this car makes it extra special, and there will be many emotions coming with it.

“I have been lucky enough to drive one of his Benetton cars and some of the Ferraris he raced, but this will be the first time behind the wheel of a Mercedes he drove. I am sure I will get out of it with a big smile on my face."

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Michael Schumacher has been cared for by his family and a team of medical staff since leaving hospital after a skiing accident in December 2013. Details of his condition are shrouded in secrecy, with the family determined to protect his privacy.

Mercedes are also sending their W12 model, which was driven by Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas in 2021. The car will be driven by Esteban Gutierrez at Goodwood in West Sussex.

Michael Schumacher drove the Mercedes W02 in 2011 (Paul-Henri Cahier/Getty Images)

Mick Schumacher will be relishing the opportunity to enjoy the thrill of racing, having settled into a reserve role this season after two years of F1 experience at Haas. While he has been credited with some useful contributions to the Silver Arrows, he might not be getting a drivers’ role any time soon.

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff recently explained the situation for Schumacher. "It's a difficult situation because [Mercedes] is closed, and I would wish for Mick to get a seat, and he deserves it,” Wolff said. “The situation in 2024 is unfavourable, in 2025 a few doors will open again, but we have to wait and see how things develop at Williams, so it's not easy.

"We have to be careful, because if we support Mick too much, then of course there are critics who would like to make things difficult who then come crawling out of the woodwork."

Mercedes are currently second in the F1 constructors' standings, well behind leaders Red Bull, who have dominated through Max Verstappen. Red Bull have won all eight races this season, with Verstappen taking six and his team-mate, Sergio Perez, claiming the other two.

Felix Keith