Mick Schumacher ‘wouldn’t say no’ to McLaren opportunity after Portugal test

Thomas Maher 13 Jul 2023 2:46 PM

McLaren's Mick Schumacher testing at Portimao, July 2023.

Mick Schumacher carried out a test of McLaren’s MCL35M during some private track time in Portugal earlier this week.

Mercedes’ reserve driver Mick Schumacher hinted he’d be up for more McLaren action after the German driver took the wheel of an older McLaren F1 car for some private testing at Portimao.

Schumacher is an official reserve for Mercedes, but an arrangement between the Brackley-based team and McLaren means the Woking-based squad can also call upon Schumacher’s services as a reserve if either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri are sidelined.

Mick Schumacher carries out test at Portimao

While Formula 1’s testing rules for using current cars are extremely strict, meaning Mick Schumacher couldn’t carry out a test in the current car, the rules are far more relaxed when it comes to the testing of older cars.

Using a two-year-old car for private testing is permitted under the regulations, and McLaren flew Mick Schumacher to Portugal in order to carry out a private test at the wheel of the 2021 MCL35M – the same car that Daniel Ricciardo drove to victory at Monza.

根据麦克拉伦,测试是为了to help him prepare to race for McLaren “if called upon”, and set about helping him get comfortable with their work ethics and protocols. He went along to McLaren’s factory in Wiking ahead of the test in order to do a seat fit and plot out a bespoke run plan in the MCL35M.

He also had the chance to chat with team boss Andrea Stella, who worked with Schumacher senior as his performance engineer at Ferrari during his run of F1 dominance between 2002 and 2006.

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Details of the test, including Schumacher’s pace, were kept quiet by McLaren, but Schumacher spoke about his day behind the wheel of a car created by the team that father Michael spent so many years fighting against during his own F1 career.

“My first test with McLaren was great, we did so many laps out there,” Schumacher said.

“It has been really good to get that experience with the team. It is a great team and a great bunch of people.

“We went through the whole schedule beforehand when I was at the factory. We were trying to focus on the things that I think are important for me, in terms of my development, and for the team to get to know me.

“We ran through some different projects, it was mainly about driving style and getting to understand the tyre. The tyre we used is an academy tyre, so it is a little different, but it is a great one to learn on and improve my skills, and that is what we were really focused on.

“It was good to get a feeling for driving a race-winning car, as this car won in Monza. It was great gaining the knowledge of how to drive this car and how to get around in it quickly.”

Mick Schumacher “wouldn’t say no” to more

Schumacher is currently without a race seat in F1, having been dropped by Haas after two years as the American outfit turned to the more experienced Nico Hulkenberg.

Snapped up by Mercedes to serve as their reserve, he is trying to find a way back onto the F1 grid – a stiff challenge as seats are few and far between during a period of relative stability on the contract front.

Spending his year testing and driving Mercedes’ simulator, Schumacher returned to F1 action at the wheel of the W14 for a Pirelli tyre test after the Spanish Grand Prix and said he wouldn’t say no to further opportunities with McLaren if they arise.

“I did the Pirelli test with Mercedes in Barcelona, so it is not like I was coming into this test super, super fresh,” he said.

“It is good for me to get as much driving in as possible, and that is why this day is an amazing opportunity for me. I wouldn’t say no to another test with McLaren.”

However, the chance of a race seat at McLaren is currently unlikely – both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are signed for 2024. With Piastri impressing as a rookie, his seat is secure and any possibility of Norris seeking to jump ship seems to have reduced in light of McLaren’s recent improvements in pace as he raced to second at his home race at Silverstone.