Schumacher: I have to convince people of my worthiness

After losing his Haas seat at the end of the 2022 F1 season, Schumacher found refuge as a reserve driver at Mercedes the team his father, seven-time F1 Champion Michael, helped build between 2010 and 2012.

Over the course of the 2023 season, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and both its drivers, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, hailed the work Schumacher has been doing over race weekends in the team's simulator assisting in perfecting the setup solutions for the W14.

In an interview with Formula 1's Official Website, the German admitted it was satisfying that his work behind the scenes is acknowledged, he said: "It's great that people recognise that.

"But unfortunately, I'm still here as a reserve driver, not as a prime driver. So, obviously something has gone wrong and sometimes it’s a bit hard to understand," he lamented.

Schumacher won Championships in Formula 3 and Formula 2 on his way to F1 and while he is confident of his abilities in the cockpit of an F1 car, he knows he needs to prove himself, saying: "I know I have to convince other people of my worthiness for this spot."

The Mercedes reserve was speaking over the course of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend, and reflected on the 22-race-long season.

He said: "It’s obviously a very long season so I think we are pretty much at the end here already, but the new role is a very different role compared to what I've had in the couple of years and especially the last two years.

"In general, I’ve just been trying to embed myself in the team and learn as much as I can to also widen my horizon a bit compared to what I've had in the last couple of years, just to whenever needed be ready to jump in," he explained.

Schumacher said joining Mercedes was "in some ways very interesting", claiming it was "something very special" getting to know how the eight-time F1 Constructors' Champions operate.

He said: "To understand now how all the procedures worked having worked one year with them it’s been very mind opening and interesting for me to be part of this."

At Mercedes, the former Haas driver had the chance to work closely with two mega talents, Hamilton and Russell, and he detailed his learnings from the experience.

He said: "I think that for me what people forget – I was aware of it but it’s still something which you don't think too much about – is that everybody is human, and everybody has the same insecurities.

"That for me was my biggest learning. Some of the questions when driving myself which weren't answered then, have been answered here. That everybody is going through some stuff especially while racing and it was great to have that experience.

"But also, obviously you know why they are as good as they are because of the approaches they take. It’s great to see also Lewis who has been with the team for so long, the connection he has to the team.

"They can talk without using words and understand each other and that I think is something which is quite special," he explained.

While returning to an active F1 role is the ultimate target, Schumacher realistically has to wait till 2025 before he gets that chance.

"Unfortunately a lot of the contracts are multi-year deals so there is not really an opening for next year. So, it’s a bit of a tough spot to be in, but for 2025 there is a lot more openings and we will have to see," he reckoned.

But he will be even busier in 2024 as, in addition to his Mercedes reserve role, Schumacher will be racing for Alpine in their World Endurance Championship efforts.

Clarifying his decision to join Alpine, he said: "I think the important thing for me is not to be outside a car for too long and that's why we are trying to find a spot where we can race next year. Things are looking pretty good, [but] unfortunately not for Formula 1.

"Nonetheless I will be keeping very close ties to Formula 1 and hopefully that will allow me to also prove myself to the people of Formula 1 that I still deserve a chance in the pinnacle of motorsport and that I belong here," Schumacher concluded.

Earlier in 2023, there were reports that Schumacher, supported by Wolff, was seeking a role with Williams, potentially to replace Logan Sargeant, that is before the American was confirmed with the team for 2024 days ago.