Michael Schumacher’s son, Mick, could drive a McLaren this season if the Formula 1 team needs a replacement for race drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Fierce rival to Ferrari great Michael during his golden years at the Italian team, McLaren said on Wednesday that it would be able to call in Mick’s services as part of an agreement with the engine supplier. Mercedes.
The 23-year-old German joins Mercedes as a reserve to seven-time world champions Lewis Hamilton and George Russell after losing his race seat to Ferrari-powered Haas at the end of last season.
“Welcome to the family, Mick,” McLaren said on Twitter, pointing out that the team’s new principal Andrea Stella was previously Michael Schumacher’s performance engineer at Ferrari.
McLaren had a reserve-sharing deal with Renault-owned Alpine last season, when Australian Piastri was Alpine’s third driver.
McLaren then won a contract dispute with Alpine to let Piastri race for them this year.
Mercedes and Williams shared Nyck de Vries as a reserve last season, with the Dutchman now due to race with Red Bull-owned AlphaTauri.
McLaren also has IndyCar 2021 champion Alex Palou signed as a reserve when the Spaniard’s schedule allows. Ten of the 23 scheduled F1 grand prix clashes with IndyCar.
