Team boss Toto Wolff explains Mick Schumacher’s part in Mercedes results this year – praise also for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has no regrets about signing Mick Schumacher as a test driver at the summer break of the 2023 Formula 1 season. “Mick is a great guy. Not only is he a good racing driver, but he also embodies the right values,” praises Wolff.
And most importantly in terms of sporting performance, “He has helped with the performance of the car and the drivers through his nightly work in the simulator from Friday to Saturday. That makes a real difference on track,” said Wolff.
At the summer break, Mercedes is in second place in the World Championship behind Red Bull. According to Wolff, Schumacher has also played his part in the fact that they have at least managed to leave the rest of the field behind them, with the exception of the Bulls, who have won every race so far this season.
There is also praise for the two regular drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. “Both drivers have done a really good job of dealing with the ups and downs and the driveability of the car,” Wolff points out, given the W14’s problems.
“They have managed to deal very well and very professionally with the challenges we have had with the car. They are always looking ahead to how we can improve the performance and get the best out of the car at every opportunity,” he praised.
But because the World Championship train has already sailed for 2023, Wolff emphasises: “The sails are now set for 2024. We still have some updates in the pipeline for the W14, but I think it’s good to focus on next year because there is so much we can optimise on the current car without looking too much at upgrades. “
256 points Mercedes is already behind high-flyer Red Bull in the world championship. Wolff therefore explains, “Let’s see how we can get [the car] more into the optimum range while gaining a lot of understanding for next year.”
“The more knowledge we can gain, the better positioned we will be for 2024 and beyond,” the team boss explains. Mick Schumacher should help with that again then.