Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher will depart the team at the end of the 2024 season, with Valtteri Bottas poised to step into his place.
Bottas, who had been considering a full-time move to IndyCar for 2025, has now opted to remain in Formula 1, signaling his intent to join
Mercedes after his contract with Sauber, soon to become Audi’s works team, concludes. In a statement issued at the Qatar Grand Prix,
Mercedes confirmed Schumacher’s departure, with the 25-year-old German, the son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, set
to explore new opportunities. Alpine, the Renault-owned F1 team, later announced that Schumacher would join their World Endurance
Championship program for 2025. Bottas, whose future in F1 had been uncertain following a challenging season with Sauber, said
discussions with Mercedes were progressing well. He confirmed he would not pursue a full-time IndyCar campaign, citing the timing as too
soon after a 12-year F1 career. While he received a solid offer for a full IndyCar season, Bottas expressed a preference for selective races,
including the Indianapolis 500, Australian V8 Supercars, and rallying. However, his primary focus remains Formula 1, with the possibility of
IndyCar in the future, particularly if the F1 landscape changes after 2025. Commenting on Schumacher’s departure, Mercedes team
principal Toto Wolff praised the young German driver as a “racer of incredibly high calibre” who “deserves to be competing in the very best
championships.” Schumacher, reflecting on his time as Mercedes’ reserve driver, acknowledged the frustration of watching from the sidelines. “I
want to get back to focusing 100% on racing,” he said, emphasizing his desire to fully commit to the competitive side of motorsport. “Ultimately,
it’s racing that gives you that feeling you love.”