Mick Schumacher to make Mercedes test debut next week

Mick Schumacher will test a Mercedes Formula 1 car for the first time next week, the team has confirmed.

The former Haas F1 driver, who joined Mercedes in a reserve and test role for the 2023 season, will take part in a Pirelli tyre test for the team at Barcelona.

“After the grand prix weekend, Mick will also get his first real-world taste of the W14 on the second day of the Pirelli tyre test,” team principal Toto Wolff confirmed. “He has done a great job with the team so far, working hard back in the simulator and giving valuable input trackside.

“We’re looking forward to him getting his first taste of on-track running this year, and sure it will help him in his role as reserve driver.”

Schumacher last drove an F1 car at the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, his final start for Haas, where he finished 16th. His father Michael Schumacher drove for Mercedes in F1 from 2010 to 2012, and was part of their junior driver programme and World Sports-Prototype Championship team in the 1990s.

Mercedes will be joined at the Pirelli tyre test by Ferrari. They will conduct two days’ running each to “develop the compounds and constructions for next year”, according to Pirelli motorsport director Mario Isola.

Pirelli has brought forward the introduction of some of its 2024 concepts and will test them during the upcoming grand prix weekend that is also at Barcelona. They are due to be raced for the first time at Silverstone.

“Apart from the use of some new material, which has already been homologated following an extensive test programme, the latest specification is identical to the previous version,” said Isola.

“Initially this was scheduled for 2024, but its introduction has now been brought forward to make the structure more resistant to fatigue, as the loads generated by the current cars have already reached the targets set for the end of the season after only a few races. This new construction has no impact though on the technical parameters or performance of the tyres.”

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

2023 F1 season

• Hamilton scrap was “hard, fair racing” despite radio complaints – Russell
• Red Bull’s dominant championship triumph “beyond our wildest dreams” Horner
• Verstappen canters to clinch Red Bull’s title – with no help from Perez
• Suzuka showed Mercedes can no longer expect tyre degradation advantage
• Why Ocon rejected Gasly’s furious complaints about Alpine’s “joke” team orders

Browse all 2023 F1 season articles