Michael Schumacher’s son Mick is confirmed to be without a drive next season as Haas replace him

Mick Schumacher, son of Ferrari great and seven-time world champion Michael, will be without a full-time Formula drive next season after the US-owned Haas team announced his departure on Thursday.

The 23-year-old German has been replaced by older compatriot Nico Hulkenberg alongside Danish driver Kevin Magnussen.

Schumacher, who has been linked with a move to Mercedes, made his debut with Haas last season after winning the 2020 Formula Two title but was out of contract after this weekend’s final race at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina.

Mick Schumacher (L) has been replaced at Haas team by Nico Hulkenberg (R) for next season

A member of Ferrari’s young driver academy, Schumacher was involved in costly crashes early in the season but has also scored his first F1 points this year with a best finish of sixth.

He is 16th in the overall standings with 12 points.

Haas team boss Guenther Steiner thanked Schumacher and wished him well.

‘Mick’s pedigree in the junior categories was well known and he has continued to grow and develop as a driver in his time with Haas F1 team,’ Steiner said in a statement.

Mick’s father Michael finished his legendary Formula One career with the team back in 2012

‘While choosing to go in separate directions for the future, the entire team wishes Mick well for the next steps in his career path and beyond.’

Ferrari-powered Haas are eighth of the 10 teams in the overall standings.  

‘I’m naturally very pleased to be welcoming Nico Hulkenberg back to a full-time racing role in Formula 1,’ Guenther Steiner, Team Principal, Haas F1 Team said Thursday.

‘The experience and knowledge base Nico brings to the team is clear to see – with nearly 200 career starts in Formula 1 – and a reputation as being a great qualifier and a solid, reliable racer. These are attributes, which when you pair them together with Kevin Magnussen’s experience, gives us a very credible and well-seasoned driver line-up which we believe will help push the team onwards up the grid.

Schumacher is out of contract after this weekend’s final race at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina

‘That’s obviously the goal and it was that ambition that has prompted Nico’s return to Formula 1 – he shares our vision and can be a key player together with the rest of the team in building on the foundations we’ve laid this year with our return to the points battle.’

Hulkenberg, a veteran of 181 races, has been without a full-time drive since the 2019 season – though he has stepped in for Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel when each of them tested positive for Covid-19 over the past three seasons. 

‘I’m very happy to move into a full-time race seat with Haas F1 Team in 2023. I feel like I never really left Formula 1,’ Hulkenberg said.

‘I’m excited to have the opportunity to do what I love the most again and want to thank Gene Haas and Günther Steiner for their trust. We have work ahead of us to be able to compete with all the other teams in the midfield, and I cannot wait to join that battle again.’