F1 Spanish Grand Prix: Mercedes Confirm Mick Schumacher to Drive W14 in Barcelona

Toto Wolff, the team principal for Mercedes, has stated that Mick Schumacher will shortly receive his first chance to drive the Mercedes W14. Following his dismissal from the Haas driver lineup and his expulsion from the Ferrari Driver Academy, Michael Schumacher's son joined the Silver Arrows as a reserve driver for the F1 2023 season. Since then, he has been a spectator in the Mercedes pit, but rumours have it that he will finally get some track time in Barcelona. In the wake of Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya, Mercedes will maintain a presence in Barcelona for the next Tuesday and Wednesday's Pirelli tyre test. While Lewis Hamilton sits out both days of testing, the former Haas driver will put in a full day on Pirelli tyres. Schumacher, following in the path of his father Michael, who drove for Mercedes from 2010 to 2012, switched teams this season.

Also Read: F1: Teams Will Closely Monitor Floor Photographs of Red Bull RB19, Says Mercedes

F1: Mercedes and Mick Schumacher

Schumacher's mistake-filled season with Haas led to the team replacing him with Nico Hulkenberg, and Mercedes picked up the young German driver and made him their reserve. It is thought that Schumacher's test drive, in which he will pilot the W14 for the first time outside of a simulator, will provide a clear indication of whether the 24-year-old is capable of returning to the grid in 2024.

Next week in Barcelona = #F1Testing with Pirelli.

George will drive on Tuesday, @SchumacherMick will get his first laps in the W14 on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/J8e9NMQy6a

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) May 31, 2023

Because of what he has learned from Hamilton and Russell, Schumacher's time spent working for Mercedes puts him in excellent position to compete next season. Last month, he spoke about his 'understudy' status to the two in the Mercedes' Diary, saying, "It's also been fascinating working with Lewis and George."

On Wednesday at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Schumacher will show whether he has ingrained the advice of his teammates and made good use of his hours in the simulator, or whether his tyre testing session was indicative of how much more work he needs to do to be competitive at the very top level.

Also Read: F1: McLaren Hires Key Red Bull Figure Rob Marshall as Senior Technical Chief

F1 Spanish Grand Prix: Changes to the Circuit 

The 2023 Spanish Grand Prix will be the track's 33rd F1 race overall, and its first since 1991. In November of 2021, the Catalunya circuit renewed its contract with Formula One, guaranteeing the Spanish Grand Prix a spot on the calendar until at least 2026. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has served Formula One well as a testing venue throughout the years because of its reputation for thoroughly stressing racing vehicles.

Many racers have lately called for a return to the Barcelona track's original layout, which included two fast, sweeping right-hand turns at the conclusion of the lap in order to increase the quality of competition there. This was recognised earlier this year by the organisers of the Spanish Grand Prix.