F1 News: Mick Schumacher On Return To F1 Seat - "Excited For The Rest Of The Year"
Mick Schumacher made a return to an F1 car during Pirelli's 2024 tyre testing program with the Mercedes W14. The testing took place over two days at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, and the German driver completed an impressive 152 laps on the second day.
Reflecting on the experience, Schumacher expressed his delight and eagerness to learn from the opportunity. He said:
“It was great.I learned a lot and it was a lot of fun. It was a very productive day; we got through everything we wanted to and ran every test tyre on the plan.
“It was also good to have that first experience of the tyres without any blankets. Obviously having not driven in a while, I felt it physically, but it was good to be back in the driving seat.
“This experience will definitely benefit me in my role. I have a better understanding of what to look out for and what to work on.
“I also have a better understanding of all the procedures and how the Team works trackside. That would be a key factor in case I ever have to jump in and race.”
Schumacher's contribution extends beyond the track, as he has also been assisting Mercedes in their simulator work. Lewis Hamilton, his teammate, commended his efforts in the simulator, and Schumacher believes that the simulation experience played a pivotal role in preparing him for the real driving experience.
While acknowledging that there will always be differences between simulator and real-world driving, Schumacher praised the team's efforts to bridge the gap. He stated, "It's clear why this team is an eight-time World Champion." The simulator work gave him a good idea of what to expect when driving the car and helped him anticipate the challenges ahead.
Looking ahead with excitement, Schumacher expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in providing him with this opportunity. He concluded by saying:
“There is obviously a difference between the simulator and driving in the real world. There will always be a difference as the technology is not at a point where you can compare it 100%.
“However, it is the closest experience I’ve had between a simulator and real life. The simulator has prepared me, and the team has made a great effort of correlating it.
“That helped me to know what to expect when driving it. It’s clear why this team is an eight-time World Champion.
“I’m very excited for the rest of the year. I’ve had a great time today and hopefully I’ll be back in a car at some point.
"I loved every bit of it! I want to say a big thank you to everybody for this opportunity."